Common geospatial data types and file formats explained
If you’re working with maps or GIS (Geographic Information Systems), you’ve probably come across different file types like Shapefiles, GeoJSON, or KML. Each file format has its own purpose, pros and cons, and compatibility with software like QGIS, ArcGIS, or Google Earth.
In this guide, we’ll explain the most popular geospatial datatypes and file formats, what they’re used for, what software can open them, and how to choose the right one for your project.
🔍 What Are Geospatial Data Types?
There are two main types of geospatial data:
1. Vector Data
Represents features as points, lines, or polygons.
Examples: Locations of trees (points), roads (lines), land parcels (polygons)
Best for: Boundaries, routes, locations
2. Raster Data
Represents data as a grid of pixels, like an image.
Examples: Satellite imagery, digital elevation models (DEM), temperature maps
Best for: Continuous data (e.g., terrain, vegetation, imagery)
🗂️ Common Vector File Formats
1. Shapefile (.shp, .shx, .dbf)
Used with: QGIS, ArcGIS, MapInfo
What it is: A classic format for storing vector data (points, lines, polygons). It comes with multiple files that work together.
Pros:
Widely supported
Fast and compact
Good for offline work
Cons:
Can’t store multiple layers in one file
File size limit (2 GB max)
Doesn’t support Unicode (limited non-English characters)
2. GeoJSON (.geojson or .json)
Used with: QGIS, web maps (Leaflet, Mapbox), ArcGIS, GitHub
What it is: A JSON-based format for storing simple geographic data.
Pros:
Lightweight and human-readable
Great for web apps and APIs
Stores geometry and attributes together
Cons:
Not ideal for very large datasets
Slower rendering for complex geometries
3. KML/KMZ (.kml, .kmz)
Used with: Google Earth, QGIS, ArcGIS
What it is: Keyhole Markup Language, used to display geographic data in Earth browsers.
Pros:
Designed for visualization in Google Earth
Can include text, images, and styling
Cons:
Not optimized for analysis
Less flexible for data manipulation
4. GPKG (GeoPackage)
Used with: QGIS, ArcGIS, GDAL
What it is: A modern, open-standard SQLite-based format that stores both vector and raster data.
Pros:
Stores multiple layers in one file
Efficient, compact, and fast
Fully open standard (great for long-term use)
Cons:
Not yet supported by all software
Slightly steeper learning curve for beginners
🗺️ Common Raster File Formats
1. GeoTIFF (.tif, .tiff)
Used with: QGIS, ArcGIS, GRASS GIS, Photoshop
What it is: A raster format that includes spatial referencing info.
Pros:
Supports metadata and georeferencing
Great for satellite and aerial imagery
Supports large datasets
Cons:
Large file sizes
May require compression or tiling for web use
2. JPEG/PNG with World Files (.jpg + .jgw, .png + .pgw)
Used with: QGIS, ArcGIS
What it is: Standard image formats with a companion world file to locate them geographically.
Pros:
Easy to create and share
Small file sizes
Cons:
No internal metadata
Not ideal for analysis or large-scale mapping
3. NetCDF (.nc)
Used with: QGIS (via plugins), GRASS GIS, scientific tools like MATLAB and R
What it is: A scientific format for storing multidimensional data like climate, weather, or ocean currents.
Pros:
Handles time series and 3D data well
Highly structured and efficient
Cons:
Complex to work with
Requires specialized tools and skills
📌 Summary Table
| Format | Type | Best For | Software | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shapefile | Vector | General GIS use | QGIS, ArcGIS | Widely supported, fast | Multiple files, 2GB limit |
| GeoJSON | Vector | Web maps, APIs | QGIS, Web | Lightweight, web-friendly | Less efficient for large data |
| KML/KMZ | Vector | Google Earth visualizations | Google Earth, QGIS | Rich styling, good for sharing | Limited analysis tools |
| GPKG (GeoPackage) | Vector/Raster | Multi-layer GIS projects | QGIS, ArcGIS | Modern, compact, all-in-one | Still gaining adoption |
| GeoTIFF | Raster | Imagery, elevation | QGIS, ArcGIS | Georeferenced, powerful | Large file sizes |
| JPEG/PNG (+ world file) | Raster | Simple overlays | QGIS, ArcGIS | Easy to share | Limited spatial data |
| NetCDF | Raster | Scientific models | QGIS, GRASS GIS, R | Time-based, structured data | Complex and specialized |
✅ Choosing the Right Format
Use Shapefiles for compatibility across platforms.
Use GeoJSON for interactive web maps.
Use KML for Google Earth visualizations.
Use GeoTIFF for raster analysis and base maps.
Use GeoPackage if you want everything in one file.
Use NetCDF for climate and scientific modeling.
Final Thoughts
Understanding geospatial file types is key to working effectively with mapping data. Whether you're creating a web map, analyzing terrain, or preparing spatial data for a project, choosing the right format will save time and avoid compatibility issues.
If you’re just starting, we recommend using QGIS—it supports almost every format in this list and is completely free.
