OpenAnyFile
What is a .gpx file?
GPS Exchange Format is a map and GPS format developed by TopoGrafix, first released in 2002. It is usually created by Garmin, Strava, Komoot, hiking apps.
XML tracks, routes and waypoints. The route is drawn here with distance, elevation gain and duration — all computed on your device.
File details
| Full name | GPS Exchange Format |
|---|---|
| Category | Maps & GPS |
| MIME type | application/gpx+xml |
| Signature (magic bytes) | 3C 3F 78 6D 6C (<?xml) |
| Developer | TopoGrafix |
| Introduced | 2002 |
| Opens with | Map track viewer |
| Uploaded? | No — read locally in your browser |
How to open a .gpx file
OpenAnyFile routes .gpx files to its map track viewer, which shows the route drawn with distance and elevation.
- Drop your .gpx file on the box above, click it to choose the file, or paste it with Ctrl+V.
- The real format is detected from the file's first bytes — not just its name.
- The file opens in the map track viewer.
- Use fullscreen for a closer look, check its checksums, or download it back unchanged.
What works — and what does not
Works
Viewing and inspecting: the route drawn with distance and elevation. Size, type, signature and checksums are always shown.
Does not work
Editing and saving back. OpenAnyFile is a viewer, not an editor — for changes you still need the original app.
Is it safe to open a .gpx file online?
Here, yes — because nothing is uploaded. Most "online viewers" send your file to their server. OpenAnyFile reads it with your browser's File API and decodes it on your own device, so there is no copy anywhere else. You can check: open your browser's network tab while opening a file — no upload appears.
Questions about .gpx files
Can I open a .gpx file without installing software?
Yes. OpenAnyFile opens .gpx files in your browser using its map track viewer. You get the route drawn with distance and elevation, with nothing installed and no account.
How do I know a file is really a .gpx file?
Check its first bytes instead of its name. A genuine GPX file begins with 3C 3F 78 6D 6C (<?xml). OpenAnyFile shows the detected type, so a renamed file is easy to spot.
Is my .gpx file uploaded anywhere?
No. The file is read locally by your browser and never sent to a server — it even works offline once the page has loaded.
Does it work on phones?
Yes — on Android and iPhone, in any modern browser. You can also install OpenAnyFile as an app.
Related formats
Other formats from the same family:
Format facts checked and page updated on September 25, 2026.