KML Documentation Introduction
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If you're new to KML, begin by browsing the KML Tutorial, which presents short samples of KML code that you can view in Google Earth.
The KML Reference provides detailed syntax for all KML elements, with explanations and diagrams of how to specify them.
The Developer's Guide contains in-depth conceptual material and examples.
Creating and Sharing KML Files
You can create KML files with the Google Earth user interface, or you can use an XML or simple text editor to enter "raw" KML from scratch. KML files and their related images (if any) can be compressed using the ZIP format into KMZ archives. To share your KML and KMZ files, you can e-mail them, host them locally for sharing within a private internet, or host them publicly on a web server. Just as web browsers display HTML files, Earth browsers such as Google Earth display KML files. Once you've properly configured your server and shared the URL (address) of your KML files, anyone who's installed Google Earth can view the KML files hosted on your public web server.
Many applications display KML, including Google Earth, NASA WorldWind, ESRI ArcGIS Explorer, Adobe PhotoShop, AutoCAD, and Yahoo! Pipes.
Except as otherwise noted, the content of this page is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License, and code samples are licensed under the Apache 2.0 License. For details, see the Google Developers Site Policies. Java is a registered trademark of Oracle and/or its affiliates.
Last updated 2023-11-03 UTC.
[null,null,["Last updated 2023-11-03 UTC."],[[["\u003cp\u003eNew KML users can start with the KML Tutorial for basic code samples and visualization in Google Earth.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],["\u003cp\u003eThe KML Reference offers detailed syntax and explanations for all KML elements.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],["\u003cp\u003eDevelopers can find in-depth conceptual material and examples in the Developer's Guide.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],["\u003cp\u003eKML files can be created using Google Earth or text editors, shared via email or web servers, and viewed in various Earth browsers like Google Earth.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],["\u003cp\u003eKML is supported by a wide range of applications, including Google Earth, NASA WorldWind, ESRI ArcGIS Explorer, and more.\u003c/p\u003e\n"]]],[],null,["# KML Documentation Introduction\n\nIf you're new to KML, begin by browsing the [*KML Tutorial*](/kml/documentation/kml_tut), which presents short samples of KML code that you can view in Google Earth.\n\nThe *[KML Reference](/kml/documentation/kmlreference)* provides detailed syntax for all KML elements, with explanations and diagrams of how to specify them.\n\nThe *[Developer's Guide](/kml/documentation/topicsinkml)* contains in-depth conceptual material and examples.\n\nCreating and Sharing KML Files\n------------------------------\n\nYou can create KML files with the Google Earth user interface, or you can use an XML or simple text editor to enter \"raw\" KML from scratch. KML files and their related images (if any) can be compressed using the ZIP format into KMZ archives. To share your KML and KMZ files, you can e-mail them, host them locally for sharing within a private internet, or host them publicly on a web server. Just as web browsers display HTML files, Earth browsers such as Google Earth display KML files. Once you've properly configured your server and shared the URL (address) of your KML files, anyone who's installed Google Earth can view the KML files hosted on your public web server.\n\nMany applications display KML, including Google Earth, NASA WorldWind, ESRI ArcGIS Explorer, Adobe PhotoShop, AutoCAD, and Yahoo! Pipes."]]