Supported formats and limits
Check your input and intended output before selecting a file. Recast supports the workflows below; it is not a universal GIS or CAD converter.
| Input | Files to select | Available outputs | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| GeoTIFF | .tif, .tiff + optional .tfw | GeoTIFF or ASCII Grid ZIP | Keep all bands in GeoTIFF, or choose one band for ASCII Grid. |
| ASCII Grid | .asc + optional .prj | GeoTIFF or ASCII Grid ZIP | Include the .prj if you have it; an .asc may not define its CRS. |
| GeoJSON | .geojson, .json | GeoPackage or GeoJSON | The JSON must contain geospatial features, not arbitrary JSON. |
| GeoPackage (vector) | .gpkg | GeoPackage or GeoJSON | Choose one layer for GeoJSON; GeoPackage can keep all vector layers. |
| KML | .kml | GeoPackage or GeoJSON | Vector features only. KMZ, imagery overlays, tours, and styling are not supported. |
| Shapefile ZIP | .zip containing .shp + .shx + .dbf | GeoPackage or GeoJSON | One shapefile per ZIP. Include matching .prj and .cpg when available. |
How automatic detection works
First, Recast checks the extension against its supported list. It then opens the file locally using GDAL and reads the dataset’s format, layers or bands, and available coordinate information. Unsupported or unreadable inputs get an error. Conversion only starts when you review the offered output and click Convert.
What detection cannot tell you
Recast cannot identify a missing CRS from coordinates alone, verify that an embedded CRS was assigned correctly, or recover missing companion files. A .tfw gives pixel positioning, not CRS. Standard GeoJSON export requires a known source CRS.
Not supported today
Not supported: bare .shp files, KMZ, CSV/Excel, DWG/DXF, JPEG2000, PNG/JPEG export, raster GeoPackage tiles, or arbitrary target-CRS selection. Recast does not export Shapefile or KML.
File and memory limits
- Up to 20 datasets and 1 GB total input per batch.
- Up to 1 GB estimated decoded raster pixels and 1 GB retained output downloads.
- Shapefile ZIP: one shapefile, at most 100 entries, and 128 MB of extracted components.
- Ten-minute timeout per inspection or conversion. Large-file support is experimental; memory availability can cause smaller files to fail too.
Sidecar and export details
Pair a .tfw with a TIFF of the same base name; pair a .prj with its .asc. A Shapefile ZIP needs matching .shp, .shx, and .dbf files, with .prj and .cpg when available. ASCII Grid exports are ZIPs containing the selected band and available sidecars. Other outputs also become a ZIP if auxiliary files are required.
Inspect it locally, choose an output, and save your result.
Open the free converter ↗Check formats and limits