How to import Google Earth Data into QGIS

Quick summary

This tutorial shows you how to import Google Earth KML or KMZ files into QGIS using the Add Vector Layer workflow. Once imported, you can georeference and visualize your spatial data on a map canvas with an optional basemap for context.

Steps

1. In Google Earth, export your file to .kml or .kmz format.
2. Open QGIS, click Layer in the top menu, select Add Layer, then choose Add Vector Layer.
3. In the new window, click the Browse (...) icon in the Source field to locate your file.
4. Select the .kml file exported from Google Earth, then click Open.
5. Once imported, click Add to load the file into the project.
6. A dialog box will appear — select a layer or all layers, then click Add Layers.
7. Go to the Layers Panel, right-click the newly added layer.
8. Select Zoom to Layer to view the data. Note that a .kml file does not include a basemap or map background.
9. Once the layer data is visible on the map canvas, add a basemap to see how it is georeferenced and aligned with its location in Google Earth.