What is a GZ file?
GZ stands for Gzip-compressed file. It was created by Jean-loup Gailly and Mark Adler, for the GNU project and first released in 1992. Gzip compresses a single file, not a folder. That is why folders are packed into a TAR first and then gzipped, giving .tar.gz, and why a plain .gz holds exactly one file, usually named like the .gz without its extension.
| Type | archive |
|---|---|
| Compression | Lossless |
| In a browser | opens natively on macOS, Linux and Windows 11 since its 2023 update, and with 7-Zip on older Windows |
| Common uses | compressed logs, database dumps and downloads, and Linux software as .tar.gz |
| MIME type | application/gzip |
Which format should you convert GZ to?
How to open a GZ file
Whether a GZ 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 | GZ opens natively on macOS, Linux and Windows 11 since its 2023 update, and with 7-Zip on older Windows. |
Want the technical details? See what a .gz file is, with its MIME type, file signature and a viewer.
GZ compared with other archive formats
How GZ stacks up against the formats people most often convert it to or from:
| Format | Compression | Usually contains | Released | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GZ | Lossless | one file compressed with gzip, often a TAR archive of many files | 1992 | compressed logs, database dumps and downloads, and Linux software as .tar.gz |
| 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 |
| 7Z | Lossless | files compressed with LZMA or LZMA2 | 1999 | maximum compression for backups and software distribution |
| TAR | Lossless | files and folders joined end to end, without compression | 1979 | software source code and Linux and Mac backups |
How to use the GZ converter
- Choose the format you want in the Convert to menu.
- Drop your GZ files on the box, or press Choose GZ 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 GZ files without losing anything
Converting a GZ 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 GZ files from the command line
On a Mac or Linux, gunzip unpacks the file inside, keeping the original, and zip or tar packs it again:
gunzip -k input.gz
zip output.zip inputThe converter on this page does the same job in your browser, without installing anything.
GZ converter FAQ
What is a GZ file?
GZ stands for Gzip-compressed file, an archive format created by Jean-loup Gailly and Mark Adler, for the GNU project in 1992. Gzip compresses a single file, not a folder. That is why folders are packed into a TAR first and then gzipped, giving .tar.gz, and why a plain .gz holds exactly one file, usually named like the .gz without its extension.
How do I open a GZ file?
GZ opens natively on macOS, Linux and Windows 11 since its 2023 update, and with 7-Zip on older Windows. If the program you need will not open it, convert it to a more widely supported format above.
What is the most common GZ conversion?
GZ to ZIP is the conversion people search for most. The GZ is unpacked in your browser. If it holds a TAR archive, as a .tar.gz does, every file and folder inside is packed into a new ZIP with the same structure; a plain .gz holds one file, which becomes the only file in the ZIP, under the name stored in the GZ. Nothing is uploaded.
Does converting GZ files here upload them?
No. Every conversion on this page runs inside your browser, so your GZ files never leave your device.
Is the GZ converter free?
Yes. There is no sign-up and no watermark, and no limit on how many GZ files you convert. The site is supported by advertising.
Can I convert GZ files on iPhone or Android?
Yes. Open this page in Safari on iPhone and iPad, or in Chrome on Android, choose your GZ files and download the results to your Downloads folder.
Can I convert several GZ files at once?
Yes. Drop as many as you like; they are converted one after another, each with its own download button.