SHP is the ESRI shapefile — the decades-old GIS standard that still carries most government and research map data (usually zipped with .dbf/.prj siblings).
Typical use: Convert SHP to GeoJSON/CSV to use public GIS data in web maps and spreadsheets.
About the SHP format
The ESRI shapefile is the cockroach of GIS formats — designed in 1998, immune to extinction. Governments, research institutes andOpenStreetMap exports still ship as .shp, almost always zipped together with .dbf (attributes), .shx (index) and .prj (projection) siblings.
The browser can read the whole bundle: unzip it, parse the geometry records and the DBF attributes, and you get a clean GeoJSON or a flat CSV — no QGIS install required for a quick look.
Strengths
- ✓ The lingua franca of public GIS data
- ✓ Attributes and geometry in one bundle
- ✓ Reads in every serious GIS tool
Limitations
- ✗ Multi-file bundle, awkward to move
- ✗ 2GB size limit and field-name limits
- ✗ No web map support without conversion
- Structure
- Geometry + DBF attribute table
- Types / schema
- Points, polylines, polygons
- Compatibility
- ArcGIS, QGIS, OSM exports
- Best for
- Government & research map data
Convert SHP to…
3 direct directions, sorted A–Z; 🔥 marks popular targets.
Frequently asked questions
What is a SHP file?
SHP is the ESRI shapefile — the decades-old GIS standard that still carries most government and research map data (usually zipped with .dbf/.prj siblings).
How do I convert SHP files online?
Pick a target format from the "Convert SHP to…" list below, drop your file and hit convert. Everything runs in your browser — no install, no upload, no watermark, no limits.
Is it safe to convert SHP files here?
Yes. Every conversion is performed by your own device inside the browser — files never leave for a server, and the page keeps working even offline.
Which formats can SHP convert to?
This page lists all 3 directions across documents, images, audio, video, spreadsheets and archives — each one is its own free converter page.