A worked example
A perfectly straight three-point segment reduces to its two endpoints at a positive tolerance.
Simplify points
Reduce redundant points using a distance tolerance, preserving the first and last point of every segment.
YOUR LITTLE WORKBENCH
Simplify points
Normalized exports retain coordinates, optional elevations and valid times only. Source metadata, waypoints and extensions are omitted. No base map requests are made.
- example.gpx · 7 points
Output is ready to download
OUTPUT COPY / LOCAL ONLY ✦
Track distance · excluding segment gaps
1.9865 km- Output points
- 7
- Source points
- 7
- Segments
- 2
- Raw recorded ascent
- 32 m
- Raw recorded descent
- 9 m
- Points with elevation
- 7
- Points with timestamps
- 4
Segment boundaries are preserved. Ascent/descent use recorded adjacent elevation differences without smoothing. Coordinates still reveal locations.
THE METHOD / 01
Know what goesinto your result.
Iterative Ramer–Douglas–Peucker uses great-circle point-to-segment distances. Each segment is processed independently.
Keep the assumptions clear
Tolerance is 0–1,000 metres. Zero keeps all points. A bounded operation budget protects the page from pathological tracks. It is not a map-matching tool.
A FEW USEFUL ANSWERS
Good to know.
Are my inputs uploaded?
No. Calculations run locally in your browser. The host still receives normal requests for website pages and assets.
Can I keep my result?
Use the download controls for the current tool or print from your browser. Typing scores and camping plans can also be saved locally; see the privacy page for details.
Do I need an account?
No sign-up, paid API or subscription is required. Both language versions use the same calculation logic.
TRAILKIND / TOOLKIT
A little help for every step.
01
Trim a track
Keep an inclusive range of track points while retaining the original breaks between track segments.
Open tool02
Merge tracks
Combine up to four GPX files in the displayed order without drawing a false connection between files.
Open tool04
Clean for sharing
Remove timestamps and optionally elevations from a normalized GPX copy before sharing.
Open tool