Reduce the number of points in a GPX file
Cut a dense GPX down to an exact point count or an even spacing so it fits your device’s course limit — while keeping the shape of the route.
Drag a file anywhere onto the editor, or .
Nothing is uploaded — editing happens in your browser. Reads .gpx, .tcx, .fit, .kml and .kmz.
Fix GPS errors
Your watch drifted or teleported? Remove spikes that jump away and snap back.
Reduce points
Fewer points = a smaller file that fits your device's course limit. Re-run anytime — it always starts from your full track, so you can go up or down.
Advanced: spacing & simplify
Edit points
Elevation
This file has no elevation data.
Opt-in: sends only the coordinates of points needing elevation to the terrain provider. Your file is not uploaded.
Re-upload as new
Strava & Garmin reject re-uploads as duplicates. Shift the time or randomize the file ID so it uploads as new.
Plan a route
Click the map to drop points. Below zoom 12 the first click zooms in so you can place accurately.
Export format
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. GPX Toolkit is not affiliated with Strava, Garmin, Coros, Suunto or Wahoo.
Why point count matters
GPX files from mapping sites can hold tens of thousands of points. Many bike computers and watches cap a course at a few hundred to a few thousand points, so an oversized file fails to load or gets silently truncated. Reducing points fixes that.
Three ways to reduce
Max points targets an exact number across the whole file using shape-preserving simplification (best for device limits). Spacing keeps one point every N metres of travel. Simplify drops points that stray less than a set distance from the line. All three re-run from the full track, so you can go finer or coarser freely.
How to reduce the number of points in a gpx file
- Open your GPX file.
- Pick a device preset, or type a Max points target (e.g. 500).
- Click Reduce — the shape is preserved and the count hits your target.
- Download the smaller GPX and copy it to your device.
FAQ
Does reducing points change my distance?
Barely — shape-preserving reduction keeps the corners that define the route, so distance stays almost identical while the file shrinks dramatically.
What point limit should I use for Garmin?
500 is a safe target for a turn-by-turn course on most modern Garmin devices; older units may need 200. See our Garmin guide for details.