Geocaching Software

If you're a GPS user and get tired of hand-entering coordinates into your GPS receiver, downloading geocache information directly to your device is an enjoyable alternative, called "paperless geocaching". The Geocaching.com site has data formats available to allow you to download geocaches and other waypoints for use with the various applications listed below.

With the exception of some lower-end GPS devices, you can usually purchase an interface cable and download coordinates directly to your GPS device. Even if you don't download to your GPS device you can use GPX files to help manage the geocaches you have found or plan to look for in the future. If your mobile device is equipped with a GPS, consider using a Geocaching Live-enabled Application for real-time searches.

Groundspeak License Agreement

In order to download geocaching data from the web site, you must first agree to Groundspeak's license.

Before you can read and agree to the license agreement, you need to first log in to the web site.

View the Groundspeak License Agreement

Waypoint File Formats

  • LOC - The original download format for the search results page on Geocaching.com. This contains only the most basic data.
  • GPX (GPS eXchange Format) - Available for Pocket Queries, a Premium Member feature on the web site. The GPX file format has specific geocaching information that can be used by supporting applications.
  • KML - Although originally used for Google Earth (formerly Keyhole - KML stands for Keyhole Modeling Language), KML is increasingly being used to read and display map data. Geocaching.com uses this format to view caches and to view the movements of trackable items.

GPS Devices Supporting GPX files

Some devices support and read Geocaching GPX files directly, like the Magellan Triton and Garmin Colorado.

Windows Applications

  • OkMap (GPX/LOC/KML) - A free all in one application that allows real-time navigation with any GPS receiver that support NMEA 0183.
  • ClayJar Watcher (GPX) - Geocaching Specific - Freeware application that helps you manage your Pocket Query GPX files.
  • EasyGPS (GPX/LOC) - A free application for managing both LOC and GPX file types.
  • Google Earth (GPX/KML) - Google Earth can overlay the travels of trackable items on geocaching.com. Google Earth also uses GPS Babel to allow Premium Members the ability to drag a Pocket Query GPX file on to the application to overlay geocaches.
  • GPX Spinner (GPX) - Geocaching Specific - Shareware application that can convert GPX files to iSilo and Plucker format.
  • GPSBabel (GPX/LOC/KML) - A free console-based application for converting LOC and GPX to various other formats. Source code available.
  • CacheStats - A tool to organize your geocaching statistics.
  • Geocaching Swiss Army Knife (GSAK) (GPX/LOC) - All in one application that allows you to manage GPX/LOC files, upload to your GPS, and convert to various other formats. Uses GPSBabel as the back end.
  • Cache Report (GPX) - An application for geocachers to convert Pocket Queries efficiently for paper caching.
  • Quo MobileXT (GPX/LOC/KML) - A free digital mapping application with dedicated Geocaching Tool for managing your geocaches, importing/exporting geocaches in various formats and uploading to Lowrance/Garmin/Magellan GPS devices. Uses local topographic maps as well as Open Street Map maps and Google Earth.
  • MyTrax (GPX) - MyTrax is an application for outdoor enthusiasts that allows you to view and edit your tracks, waypoints and geocaches on interactive maps.

Mac Applications

  • Routebuddy (GPX/LOC) - Mac desktop application - combines plug-and-play GPS support with high-quality map data, allowing creation of a library of your GPS activities.
  • Google Earth (GPX/KML) - Google Earth can overlay the travels of trackable items on geocaching.com. Google Earth also uses GPS Babel to allow Premium Members the ability to drag a Pocket Query GPX file on to the application to overlay geocaches.
  • GPSBabel (GPS/LOC/KML) - A free console-based application for converting LOC and GPX to various other formats. Source code available.
  • MacCaching GeoCache Manager (GPX/LOC) - A geocache manager for Mac OS X.
  • iCaching (GPX/LOC) - All in one real Mac application for managing, exploring and filtering geocaches, show on a Map, upload to your GPS, and convert to various other formats.

Linux Applications

  • Google Earth (GPX/KML) - Google Earth can overlay the travels of trackable items on geocaching.com. Google Earth also uses GPS Babel to allow Premium Members the ability to drag a Pocket Query GPX file on to the application to overlay geocaches.
  • GPSBabel (GPS/LOC/KML) - A free console-based application for converting LOC and GPX to various other formats. Source code available.
  • GPS Manager (GPX) - A graphical manager of GPS data that makes possible the preparation, inspection and manipulation of GPS data in a friendly environment. GPSMan supports communication and real-time logging with Garmin, Lowrance and Magellan receivers and accepts real-time logging information in NMEA 0183 from any GPS receiver. GPSMan can also be used in command mode (with no graphical interface).
  • Viking (GPX) - A free/open source program to manage GPS data. You can import and plot tracks and waypoints, show Terraserver maps under it, add coordinate lines, make new tracks, waypoints, and more.

Web-Based Applications

  • My Geocaching Profile - A tool to display various statistics about all of your geocaching finds. Requires Premium Membership at geocaching.com.
  • evince - Provides cache owners with a coordinate verification link to include on cache pages.

Geocaching Applications

Applications for Handhelds

  • GPXView (GPX) - Donateware application for managing GPX files on PocketPC 2002 or later.
  • iSilo - Document reader for Palm OS®, Pocket PC, Windows®, and Windows® CE Handheld devices. GPX Spinner can "spin" GPX files into this file format.
  • Plucker - Alternate web viewer that works with Palm OS® based handheld devices. GPX Spinner can "spin" GPX files into this file format.
  • CacheSense (GPX) – Geocaching Specific - BlackBerry Shareware: View, search & manage Pocket Queries/GPX files.
  • Go To Tool - Go To Tool is a webOS application for creating, sharing, managing and finding GPS locations.
  • Traxx (GPX) - An application for BlackBerry mobile phones that fully supports GPX v1.1.

Accessing Geocache Information

Once you agree to the license you are be able to click to download waypoints from the search pages and the waypoint details on the web site. In addition as a Premium Member you can generate Pocket Queries of geocache listings to put on your GPS devices and handheld applications.