Can I keep my lists separate after export?

Each Google Maps list starts as a separate CSV file. In Takeout Tools, CSV and XLSX keep the List column. KML and GPX are flat point exports, with the list name included in each item's description. Keep separate source files if you need separate output files.

What happens to my notes?

Notes you've added to places in Google Maps are included in the export and preserved through conversion. They appear as descriptions in GPX and KML formats.

Can I import the exported data back into Google Maps?

Not directly into Saved Places - Google Maps doesn't have a bulk import feature. However, you can import KML or CSV into Google My Maps to create a custom map that's viewable in your Google account.

How do I handle places with the same name?

Each place exports with its Google Maps URL, which differentiates them. After geocoding, each has unique coordinates even if the display name is identical.

What if some places fail to geocode?

This happens with closed businesses, unusual place names, or vague addresses. Most geocoding services flag failed entries so you can handle them manually.

Can I automate this process?

The export from Google Takeout is manual (Google's security requirement). However, once you have the files, you can build automated workflows for the geocoding and conversion steps using APIs and command-line tools.

What if I have 500+ places? Will geocoding still work?

Yes, but expect it to take longer. Geocoding APIs have rate limits, and large batches are processed in chunks. Takeout Tools handles batching automatically. As a rough guide: 500 places typically takes a few minutes; 1,000+ places can take 5–15 minutes depending on the addresses involved. Non-English and non-Western addresses (Japanese, Arabic, Chinese) may have a slightly lower geocoding success rate, so expect 5–10% of entries to need manual verification for those regions.

Can I export a list someone else shared with me?

Yes, if it has a public share link. Google Takeout only exports your own saved places, so it won't include a list someone else shared with you, but you can paste that list's link into Takeout Tools and export every place with coordinates. See our guide to exporting a shared list for the steps and the fallbacks for private lists.

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Export Google Maps List to CSV, KML and GPX

Export a Google Maps list with coordinates for spreadsheets and GPS devices. Step-by-step guide to convert your custom lists to CSV, KML and GPX.

February 3, 2026

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8 min read

Last checked October 18, 2026

Have a Google Maps list link? Get your places now

Open your list in Google Maps, tap Share, copy the link, and paste it here — no Takeout export needed.

You can't export a list from Google Maps itself, because there is no export button. The quickest way is to copy the list's share link, paste it into Takeout Tools, and download up to 2,000 places with coordinates as CSV, KML or GPX (XLSX and GeoJSON too). To export every list you own at once, download your "Saved" data from Google Takeout and upload the ZIP instead. Takeout gives you place names and links but no coordinates, which is why the steps below add them.

This guide covers how to export your Google Maps lists with proper coordinates in CSV, KML, and GPX formats.

Understanding Google Maps Lists

In Google Maps, lists are your collections of saved places:

Starred places: Your default favorites list
Want to go: Places you've flagged for future visits
Custom lists: Any lists you've created (e.g., "Tokyo 2026", "Best Tacos", "Work Sites")
Labeled places: Home, Work, and any custom labels you've set

Important: Google Takeout file layouts and fields can vary by the products and options selected for an export. This guide uses a CSV-based workflow. Inspect the files in your archive before assuming that another CSV or JSON file has the same names, coordinates, or list coverage.

Different from My Maps: If you created a custom map at mymaps.google.com with pins and routes, that's Google My Maps - a separate product with its own export options. See our My Maps export guide for that workflow, or convert a map straight to GPX with the Google My Maps to GPX converter.

Why Export Your Lists?

Offline access: Take your saved places to a GPS device or offline navigation app like OsmAnd for areas without cell service.

Spreadsheet analysis: Calculate distances, create itineraries, or analyze patterns in your saved places.

Backup: Your lists represent years of accumulated recommendations and discoveries. Having them locally protects against account issues or Google service changes.

Sharing: Give colleagues, friends, or clients a portable file they can use in their preferred application.

Migration: Move your data to another platform without re-entering every location manually.

The Missing Coordinates Problem

When you export via Google Takeout, you get CSV files with:

Place name
Tags and comments
Any notes you've added
Google Maps URL

What's missing: latitude and longitude. Most applications that accept CSV, KML, or GPX expect coordinates. You need to geocode your places (convert addresses to coordinates) before the data is fully portable.

How to Export Your Lists

Step 1: Download from Google Takeout

Go to Google Takeout
Click "Deselect all"
Find and select only "Saved"
Click "Next step" → "Create export"
Wait for the email, download, and unzip

In the "Saved" folder, you'll find separate CSV files for each of your lists.

Step 2: Add Coordinates

Your CSV files need geocoding. A service like Takeout Tools processes Google Takeout files directly - upload your CSVs or the whole ZIP and download them with coordinates added, in your choice of format.

If you have just a few places, you can look up coordinates in Google Maps on a computer: right-click the place on the map and the latitude and longitude appear at the top of the menu.

Step 3: Choose Your Output Format

CSV with coordinates: Best for spreadsheets and databases. Adds latitude and longitude columns to your original data.

GPX: Best for GPS devices and navigation apps. Use for Garmin handhelds, OsmAnd, Organic Maps, hiking apps. If GPX is all you need, you can convert to GPX directly.

KML: Best for Google Earth and visualization. Use for creating shareable maps, presenting data visually, or importing to Google My Maps.

GeoJSON: Best for developers and web mapping. Use for Leaflet, Mapbox, data analysis in Python/R.

Working with Each Format

CSV: Spreadsheet Analysis

After geocoding, your CSV has latitude and longitude columns:

Title,URL,List,Note,Comment,Address,Street,City,State,ZIP,Country,Latitude,Longitude
"Golden Gate Bridge",,,"",,"San Francisco, CA",,,,,,37.8199,-122.4783
"Fisherman's Wharf",,,"Best chowder",,"San Francisco, CA",,,,,,37.8080,-122.4177

Import into Excel or Google Sheets for:

Sorting and filtering places
Creating custom itineraries
Distance calculations
Combining with other datasets

GPX files work with virtually all GPS devices and outdoor apps. After conversion:

Garmin devices: Copy to the Garmin/GPX folder via USB OsmAnd: Import via My Places → Favorites Gaia GPS: Menu → Import

See our GPX export guide for device-specific instructions. If you're exporting a list to actually drive to every stop, note that Google Maps itself caps routes at 10 waypoints - see our guide on routing more than 10 stops for the workaround. Or let our route planner order the list for you and split it into legs that fit inside Google Maps.

KML: Visualization

KML files open in Google Earth and can be imported to Google My Maps:

Google Earth: File → Open, or drag-and-drop Google My Maps: Create new map → Import → Select KML file

Takeout Tools exports KML as a flat set of point placemarks. The list name is included in each placemark description, rather than used to create KML folders.

See our KML export guide for more details, or use our free Google Maps to KML converter if you just need a quick one-off conversion.

Pro Tips

Export lists separately. If you have distinct categories (travel, restaurants, work), keep them as separate files. This makes organization easier in destination apps.
Clean up names first. If your list has places with cryptic names or long business names, consider editing them in Google Maps before export. Cleaner names work better on GPS devices with limited display space.
Verify important locations. Geocoding is usually accurate, but spot-check places that really matter (like a remote trailhead or off-grid cabin) before relying on them.
Keep the source files. Save your original Google Takeout export. If you need to re-process with different settings or formats later, you'll have the raw data.
Update periodically. If you actively add to your lists, re-export every few months to keep your other devices and apps current.

Frequently Asked Questions

Free Tools

Already have geo files? Validate and convert them with our free browser-based tools:

GPX Validator - Check your GPX file for errors and data quality issues
KML Validator - Check your KML file for errors and data quality issues
GeoJSON Validator - Check your GeoJSON file for errors and data quality issues
Browse All Tools - Converters for GPX, KML, GeoJSON, and CSV

See Other Export Guides

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