Viewing KML files

Introduction

KML

Keyhole Markup Launguage (KML) is a markup langage ( both human-readable and Machine-readable) which is used to record data about geographical locations, lines and shapes. KML was developed for use with Google Earth and has become an international standard. KML files are used for both inputs and outputs of Google's My Maps, Maps and Google Earth, as well as other GIS software.

To open with a smartphone or tablet,

  1. Make sure that you have the Google Earth App installed. iOS version. Android.
  2. Tap on the link to the KML file.
  3. Tap on Download.
  4. Tap on Open in "Google Earth."

To open on a computer with Google Earth in Chrome.

  1. Click on the link for the KML file.
  2. Click on Download.
  3. Open the Chrome web browser and Go to Google Earth on Chrome. (Note that not all computers have hardware capable of running Google Earth on Chrome.)
  4. Click on the Google Earth menu bar (three horizontal lines at the upper left of the screen).
  5. Click on Settings.
  6. Change Units of Measurement and any other settings as necessary.
  7. Scroll down to the bottom and turn ON Enable KML file import and click on Save.
  8. Click on the Google Earth menu bar again and then on My Places.
  9. Click on IMPORT KML FILE, then Open file... then find the KML file that you just downloaded in step 2.
  10. Click on the KML file and it will open in Goggle Earth for Chrome.

To open on a computer with the desktop version of Google Earth Pro,

  1. Make sure that you have Google Earth Pro on your computer.
  2. Click on the link for the KML file.
  3. Click on Download.
  4. Go to the download location and double click on the KML.
  5. It will open in Google Earth Pro.