SummitGPX Help Centre

What Is a GPX File?

A GPX file is a GPS Exchange Format file. It is a text-based XML file used to store GPS information such as a race route line, elevation and waypoints.

GPX files are commonly used by:

  • GPS watches
  • Mapping apps
  • Running platforms
  • Cycling platforms
  • Event websites
  • Route planning tools

A GPX file usually contains latitude and longitude coordinates. It may also include elevation, timestamps, route names, waypoints and other optional data.

GPX is XML

GPX files are built using XML tags. That means they can be opened in a normal text editor.

A very small GPX example looks like this:

<gpx version="1.1">
  <trk>
    <name>Example Route</name>
    <trkseg>
      <trkpt lat="50.123" lon="-5.123">
        <ele>124.3</ele>
      </trkpt>
    </trkseg>
  </trk>
</gpx>

The important part here is the trkpt element. This is a track point.

<trkpt lat="50.123" lon="-5.123">
  <ele>124.3</ele>
</trkpt>

It stores:

  • Latitude
  • Longitude
  • Elevation

What GPX files are used for

For outdoor events, GPX files are normally used to share a route with participants.

Runners may load the file onto:

  • Garmin watches
  • Coros watches
  • Suunto watches
  • Smartphone navigation apps
  • Mapping platforms

Why GPX files can behave differently

A GPX file may contain valid data but still behave differently across devices. This can happen because platforms interpret GPX files differently.

For example:

  • One device may prefer tracks
  • Another may try to convert the file into a route
  • Some devices have file size or point limits
  • Some platforms recalculate elevation
  • Some platforms ignore waypoints

This is why testing GPX files before an event is important.

SummitGPX can host and process GPX files for route pages. For a quick standalone check before publishing, use the GPX Health Check workflow.