Simple KML Creator

1.3.6 · active · verified Wed Apr 15

simplekml is a Python package designed for generating KML (Keyhole Markup Language) and KMZ files with minimal effort. It simplifies the creation of KML documents, folders, points, linestrings, and polygons without requiring in-depth knowledge of the KML standard itself. The current version is 1.3.6. Release cadence is infrequent, with the last update in 2021, and prior updates in 2020 and 2018.

Warnings

gotcha Coordinates order: simplekml expects coordinates in (longitude, latitude, optional height) order. This is a common source of error as many other GIS contexts use (latitude, longitude).
Fix: Always provide coordinates as `(longitude, latitude, ...)` tuples or lists, e.g., `coords=[(lon, lat)]`.
gotcha Polygons with multiple inner boundaries may not render correctly in Google Maps for Android. While Google Earth is more forgiving, Google Maps for Android (especially with older SDK utility libraries) may require multiple `<innerBoundaryIs>` tags, each with a single `<LinearRing>`, rather than simplekml's output of multiple `LinearRing` elements within a single `<innerBoundaryIs>` tag.
Fix: If targeting Google Maps for Android, thoroughly test KML output with complex polygons. For critical applications, manual post-processing of the KML or alternative rendering libraries might be necessary. This is an open issue with simplekml.
gotcha For complex GPS track data (e.g., time-series points), KML is not the most suitable format, and simplekml does not directly support advanced KML extensions like `gx:Track`. Consider using the GPX format and a library like `gpxpy` for such use cases, as GPX is better designed for tracks.
Fix: For basic tracks, use `simplekml.LineString`. For rich GPS track features including timestamps, use a dedicated GPX library (e.g., `gpxpy`) or convert data to GPX.

Install

pip install simplekml Install stable release

Imports

Kml
```
from simplekml import Kml
```
simplekml
```
import simplekml
```

Quickstart

This example demonstrates how to create a basic KML file with a single point named 'Kirstenbosch' at specified coordinates and save it to a file.

import simplekml

kml = simplekml.Kml()
kml.newpoint(name="Kirstenbosch", coords=[(18.432314, -33.988862)]) # Longitude, Latitude, optional height
kml.save("botanicalgarden.kml")

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