KMLB

Plain Python KML Builder.

KMLB is a dependency-free Python library for writing Google Earth KML files. Easily create points, lines, polygons, styles, and folders.

Full documentation at kmlb.dev.

Installation

pip install kmlb

Requires Python 3.9+. No third-party dependencies.

Quick example

import kmlb

# Define a reusable style and a styled point
style = kmlb.point_style("city", color=("#ff8800", 100), scale=1.4)
boston = kmlb.point([-71.0589, 42.3601], "Boston", style_to_use="city")

# Assemble a document and write it to disk
kmlb.kml("My Places", [boston], styles=[style], path="my_places.kml")

Open my_places.kml in Google Earth to view it.

_{Building footprints extruded into 3D and viewed in Google Earth, built with kmlb polygons.}

Modules

The core builders are re-exported at the top level, so kmlb.point(...), kmlb.kml(...), and friends work directly. See the reference for every function.

_{3D solids (cylinder, cone, dome, sphere) placed over Boston, built with kmlb.shapes.}

Example use

Writing a basic KML file

import kmlb

# CREATE A POINT
fountain = kmlb.point([-71.051904, 42.358988, 0], "Rings Fountain")

# WRITE KML FILE
kmlb.kml(
    "Boston Fountain",          # KML name
    [fountain],                 # Features
    path="folder/boston_fountain.kml"  # Export path
)

Mapping a POI or an address

import kmlb

# CREATE A POINT FROM A POI
bos_common = kmlb.search_poi("Boston Common, Boston, MA")

# CREATE A POINT FROM AN ADDRESS
ss = kmlb.search_poi("700 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, MA", name="South Station")

# WRITE KML FILE
kmlb.kml(
    "Boston Landmarks",          # KML name
    [bos_common, ss],            # Features
    path="folder/boston_landmarks.kml"  # Export path
)

Creating a customized KML file

import kmlb

# DEFINE A STYLE
pt_style = kmlb.point_style(
    "Red Triangle",                # Point style name
    icon="triangle",               # Icon (built-in shorthand)
    color=("#ff0000", 100),        # Icon color (hex, opacity)
    scale=1.0,                     # Icon scale
    label_color=("#ffffff", 100),  # Label color (hex, opacity)
    label_size=1.0,                # Label size
)

# CREATE A POINT
clock_tower = kmlb.point(
    [-71.053568, 42.359053, 151],                   # Coordinates
    "Custom House Tower",                           # Name
    headers=["City", "Building", "Height (M)"],     # Attribute titles
    attrs=["Boston", "Custom House Tower", "151"],  # Attributes
    z_mode="RTG",                                   # Relative To Ground
    style_to_use="Red Triangle",                    # Name of point style defined earlier
)

# WRITE KML FILE
kmlb.kml(
    "Boston Clock Tower",                     # KML name
    [clock_tower],                            # Features to include
    path="folder/boston_clock_tower.kml",     # Export path
    desc="Created with KMLB Python Package",  # KML description
    styles=[pt_style],                        # Styles to include
)

Functions

_{A Fresnel-zone link tube and antenna coverage wedges, built with kmlb.shapes.}

Citing KMLB

Using KMLB in research or published work? Citing is never required, but it's always appreciated. Even a quick mention helps others discover KMLB and shows where it's making a difference. APA, Chicago, and BibTeX formats, kept current with each release, are at kmlb.dev/docs/cite.

@software{KMLB,
  author  = {Mros, III, Henry F.},
  title   = {KMLB: KML Builder},
  year    = {2026},
  version = {0.4.0},
  url     = {https://pypi.org/project/kmlb/}
}

License

MIT. Free to use, modify, and redistribute, including in commercial or proprietary tools, as long as the copyright notice and license text are retained.