What is a 7Z file?
7Z stands for 7-Zip archive. It was created by Igor Pavlov and first released in 1999. 7Z usually compresses tighter than ZIP by using the LZMA algorithm across files. The trade-off is that fewer built-in tools can open it.
| Type | archive |
|---|---|
| Compression | Lossless |
| In a browser | opens natively in Windows 11 since its 2023 update; older Windows needs 7-Zip and a Mac needs The Unarchiver |
| Common uses | maximum compression for backups and software distribution |
| MIME type | application/x-7z-compressed |
Which format should you convert 7Z to?
How to open a 7Z file
Whether a 7Z file opens with a double click depends on the device. Here is what works on each, without buying software:
| Windows | ZIP opens natively; Windows 11 opens RAR, 7Z and TAR too since 2023. 7-Zip handles everything on older versions. |
|---|---|
| Mac | Archive Utility opens ZIP and TAR; The Unarchiver opens RAR and 7Z. |
| iPhone and iPad | The Files app opens ZIP. Other formats need an app. |
| Android | Files by Google opens ZIP; ZArchiver opens most other formats. |
| Web browser | 7Z opens natively in Windows 11 since its 2023 update; older Windows needs 7-Zip and a Mac needs The Unarchiver. |
Want the technical details? See what a .7z file is, with its MIME type, file signature and a viewer.
7Z compared with other archive formats
How 7Z stacks up against the formats people most often convert it to or from:
| Format | Compression | Usually contains | Released | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7Z | Lossless | files compressed with LZMA or LZMA2 | 1999 | maximum compression for backups and software distribution |
| ZIP | Lossless | many files and folders, each compressed separately | 1989 | sending several files at once and downloading software |
| RAR | Lossless | many files and folders, compressed as a whole | 1993 | large downloads split into parts and files shared on forums |
| TAR | Lossless | files and folders joined end to end, without compression | 1979 | software source code and Linux and Mac backups |
| TGZ | Lossless | a TAR archive compressed with gzip | 1992 | source code releases and Linux software |
How to use the 7Z converter
- Choose the format you want in the Convert to menu.
- Drop your 7Z files on the box, or press Choose 7Z files. Several files can go in at once.
- Adjust the settings if you need to; the defaults suit most people.
- Press Convert and save each file with its Download button. Nothing is uploaded at any point.
Tips for converting 7Z files without losing anything
Converting a 7Z file is lossless: every file inside comes out byte for byte identical, and only the archive around them changes.
- ZIP is the safe choice for sharing, because every system opens it without extra software.
- Use 7Z or TAR.GZ for backups and large collections; 7-Zip on a computer creates them.
- Archives are lossless: converting between formats never changes the files inside.
- Keep the original until you have checked the new archive opens and holds everything.
- Give archives clear names with a date, such as project-2026-09.zip, so backups are easy to find later.
- Check free space first: extracting needs room for every file inside, which can be several times the archive size.
- Avoid nesting archives inside archives; one level is easier to open on every device.
Convert 7Z files from the command line
7-Zip extracts any of these formats, and a second command packs the result:
7z x input.7z -oextracted
cd extracted && 7z a ../output.zip .The converter on this page does the same job in your browser, without installing anything.
7Z converter FAQ
What is a 7Z file?
7Z stands for 7-Zip archive, an archive format created by Igor Pavlov in 1999. 7Z usually compresses tighter than ZIP by using the LZMA algorithm across files. The trade-off is that fewer built-in tools can open it.
How do I open a 7Z file?
7Z opens natively in Windows 11 since its 2023 update; older Windows needs 7-Zip and a Mac needs The Unarchiver. If the program you need will not open it, convert it to a more widely supported format above.
What is the most common 7Z conversion?
7Z to ZIP is the conversion people search for most. Every file and folder in the 7Z is extracted in your browser and packed into a new ZIP with the same structure. Nothing is uploaded.
Does converting 7Z files here upload them?
No. Every conversion on this page runs inside your browser, so your 7Z files never leave your device.
Is the 7Z converter free?
Yes. There is no sign-up and no watermark, and no limit on how many 7Z files you convert. The site is supported by advertising.
Can I convert 7Z files on iPhone or Android?
Yes. Open this page in Safari on iPhone and iPad, or in Chrome on Android, choose your 7Z files and download the results to your Downloads folder.
Can I convert several 7Z files at once?
Yes. Drop as many as you like; they are converted one after another, each with its own download button.