Q:What is a KML buffer zone?
A buffer zone is a polygon drawn at a fixed distance around a point, line, or polygon. For example, a 500-meter buffer around a school creates a polygon showing the 500-meter catchment area.
Q:How do I create a buffer around a KML polygon?
Upload your KML or GeoJSON file, enter your desired buffer distance and unit (meters, km, feet, miles), and click Generate. The tool uses the Turf.js library to calculate precise geodesic buffers and downloads the result as KML.
Q:Is KML Buffer Generator free to use?
Yes, creating buffers is 100% free with no account required.
Q:Does it upload my files to a server?
No. All buffer calculations run locally in your browser using Turf.js. No geometry data is sent to any server.
Q:How wide can the buffers be?
Any custom distance in meters, kilometers, feet, or miles. There is no minimum or maximum.
Q:Can I buffer multiple features at once?
Yes. Upload a KML with multiple points, lines, or polygons and the tool generates a buffer for each feature simultaneously.
Q:How accurate are the buffer zones?
Very accurate. The tool uses geodesic buffering on the WGS84 ellipsoid, meaning it accounts for the Earth's curvature. This gives mathematically precise circles even at large distances, unlike planar buffers that distort near the poles.
Q:Can I buffer hundreds of points at once?
Yes. Upload a KML file with as many points, lines, or polygons as needed. The tool generates an individual buffer for every feature automatically in a single operation.
Q:Can overlapping buffers be merged into one shape?
Yes. Enable the 'Dissolve' option to merge all overlapping and touching buffer zones into a single continuous polygon. This is ideal for creating service area maps or coverage zones.
Q:Is my data uploaded to your servers?
No. Buffer generation runs entirely in your browser using Turf.js. Your KML data is never sent to any server.
Q:What file size limits apply?
KML/KMZ files up to 50MB are supported. Files with thousands of features process quickly since all computation is local.
