What Is a GPX File (GPS Exchange Format)?

A GPX file (short for GPS Exchange Format) is an open XML schema standard designed for sharing GPS waypoints, tracks, and routes between fitness apps, handheld GPS receivers, and mapping software. When you ask 'what are GPX files used for?', they are the universal language connecting Strava Upload GPX, Garmin Connect, Komoot, and Apple Health.

Inside every GPX file format, a track (<trk>) is made of sequential trackpoints (<trkpt>) containing latitude, longitude, elevation (<ele> in meters), and an ISO 8601 UTC timestamp (<time>). You can create a GPX file instantly in your browser using our Free GPX File Creator & Running Route Generator.

How to Make a GPX File & How GPX Smoothing Algorithms Work

If you want to know how to make a GPX file that looks like a real GPS sports watch recording, raw straight-line coordinates are not enough. Real GPS devices record a point every few seconds and exhibit slight organic pace variations.

Our online GPX Generator & Studio uses three advanced GPX smoothing algorithms: Ramer-Douglas-Peucker trajectory simplification to clean hand-drawn jitter, OSRM pedestrian street matching to snap points to real sidewalks, and 20-meter point interpolation with sinusoidal pace variability.

• How to make a GPX file: Draw your path on our Fake Run Map Studio and click 'Align Path to Road'.
• How to open a GPX file: Upload it to strava.com/upload, connect.garmin.com, or any online GPX visualizer.
• TCX vs GPX: While TCX (Training Center XML) is a Garmin-specific format for lap heart-rate data, GPX v1.1 is smaller, faster, and universally accepted by every running app.