Shapefile → GeoJSON Converter
Instantly convert Shapefile (.shp, .dbf, .zip) files to GeoJSON, preview them on the map, download or copy to your clipboard.
GeoJSON Output
Upload File
Drag & drop Shapefile here or click to browse
.zip or .shp + .dbf files
Your Data Stays in Your Browser
Your Shapefile components (.shp, .dbf, .zip) are processed in your browser and never uploaded to a server. The conversion and map preview happen entirely on your device.
Related Tools
Free Online Shapefile to GeoJSON Converter
ESRI Shapefile is the most widely exchanged vector format in the GIS industry, but its multi-file structure and binary encoding make it inconvenient for web use. GeoJSON, by contrast, is a single, human-readable JSON file that works natively in browsers, REST APIs, and modern GIS platforms including ArcGIS. This tool converts your Shapefile to standards-compliant GeoJSON entirely in your browser — nothing is uploaded to a server.
Who uses this converter?
- GIS analysts and cartographers who need to publish datasets on a web map or share data with developers without requiring proprietary desktop software.
- Surveyors and field teams who receive Shapefile deliverables from field instruments and need to integrate them into web-based project management tools.
- Developers and data engineers who are building spatial APIs or web mapping applications and need GeoJSON as an input format.
- Urban planners and environmental consultants working with cadastral, land-use, or infrastructure datasets originally delivered as Shapefiles.
How to Use the Converter
Compress your .shp, .dbf, and .prj files into a single .zip archive, then drag the ZIP into the upload area or click to browse. The converter reads the file entirely in your browser, reprojects the geometry to WGS84 as required by the GeoJSON specification, and renders a live map preview. You can then download the resulting .geojson file or copy the JSON directly to your clipboard for use in another application.
Other Tools
Once you have your GeoJSON, you can open it in the Online Map Viewer to inspect features interactively. If you need to format or validate the JSON structure, use the GeoJSON Formatter. If your Shapefile uses ED50 or another projected coordinate system and you need to verify the datum, the Coordinate Converter can help you cross-check individual coordinates before or after conversion.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an ESRI Shapefile?
An ESRI Shapefile is a widely used geospatial vector data format developed by Esri. It stores the geometry (points, lines, or polygons) and attribute data of geographic features across multiple files: the .shp file holds the geometry, the .dbf file holds the attribute table, and the .prj file defines the coordinate reference system. Shapefiles are one of the most common formats exchanged between GIS professionals worldwide.
What is GeoJSON and why convert from Shapefile?
GeoJSON is an open, text-based standard for encoding geographic features using JSON. Unlike Shapefile, a single GeoJSON file contains both geometry and attributes, making it easy to share and use directly in web mapping applications and modern GIS APIs such as ArcGIS. Converting a Shapefile to GeoJSON is a common step when preparing data for web publishing or API integration.
How do I prepare my Shapefile for conversion?
Place the .shp, .dbf, and .prj files together in the same folder and compress them into a single .zip archive. You can then upload that ZIP file directly to the converter. Including the .prj file is strongly recommended because it tells the tool which coordinate reference system to use, ensuring the output GeoJSON uses the correct WGS84 coordinates.
Are my Shapefile files uploaded to a server?
No. The entire conversion process runs inside your browser using client-side JavaScript. Your Shapefile data is never transmitted to any server, so you can safely convert confidential or proprietary spatial data without privacy concerns.
What coordinate reference system does the output GeoJSON use?
The GeoJSON specification requires coordinates in WGS84 geographic coordinates (longitude, latitude). The converter automatically reprojects your Shapefile from its original coordinate system (read from the .prj file) to WGS84, so the output is always standards-compliant GeoJSON.
Can I convert large Shapefiles?
The converter handles most Shapefiles well, but browser memory limits become a practical constraint above roughly 50 MB or for datasets with very complex geometries. For large-scale batch conversion or enterprise data pipelines, contact Rodosto Technology for server-side processing solutions.
How can I view the converted GeoJSON on a map?
After conversion, the tool displays a live map preview of your converted data directly on the page. You can also download the GeoJSON file or copy it to the clipboard, then open it in the Rodosto Map Viewer or load it into ArcGIS or any other GIS application that supports GeoJSON import.