Making GPX Files
OpenStreetMap uses the XML-based GPS Exchange Format (GPX) for uploading and publishing GPS traces. Most GPS units have their own data format, but many allow you to save the data as GPX.
See also how to record GPS tracks in the field, and how to upload.
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What formats are supported?
The server understands standard GPX Version 1.0 and 1.1, except that the tag <time> must be present on every track or way point. For uploading trackpoints lacking proper timestamps see Farzaneh's user page.
The geographic datum of OpenStreetMap worldwide is WGS-84, so please make sure your uploaded tracks are in WGS-84 lat/lon. GPX files should always be in WGS-84, but you have to be careful if you convert your tracks from other formats (and possibly other datums) to GPX.
Multiple tracks in one GPX file
You can upload multiple disjunct tracks inside one GPX file if they are in separate segments, i.e. each is enclosed with "<trkseg> ... </trkseg>". Otherwise the file is regarded as one continuous track and lines will be drawn between all points. For instance, if you have a track segment from New York and a track segment from London in the same GPX file without marking them as separate segments, they would be linked together with a huge line across the Atlantic.
If you want to split files with multiple tracks (i.e. <trkseg> stanzas), you can use gpxsplitter, which splits multi-track GPX files, containing waypoints, into individual one-track GPX files with their respective waypoints.
Converting between formats
For a list of GPS data formats and how to convert to/from GPX, see Converting GPS track data between formats. Most of the relevant software is listed under Software for a variety of platforms including mobile devices.
