What is a TAR file?
TAR stands for Tape archive. It was created by Unix developers at Bell Labs and first released in 1979. A TAR file bundles files without compressing them; it keeps Unix permissions and folder structure. It is usually compressed again with gzip, giving a .tar.gz or .tgz file.
| Type | archive |
|---|---|
| Compression | Lossless |
| In a browser | opens natively on macOS and Linux, and with tar or 7-Zip on Windows |
| Common uses | software source code and Linux and Mac backups |
| MIME type | application/x-tar |
Which format should you convert TAR to?
- TAR to ZIP to open on any computer or phone without extra software.
How to open a TAR file
Whether a TAR 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 | TAR opens natively on macOS and Linux, and with tar or 7-Zip on Windows. |
Want the technical details? See what a .tar file is, with its MIME type, file signature and a viewer.
TAR compared with other archive formats
How TAR stacks up against the formats people most often convert it to or from:
| Format | Compression | Usually contains | Released | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TAR | Lossless | files and folders joined end to end, without compression | 1979 | software source code and Linux and Mac backups |
| 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 |
| TGZ | Lossless | a TAR archive compressed with gzip | 1992 | source code releases and Linux software |
How to use the TAR converter
- Choose the format you want in the Convert to menu.
- Drop your TAR files on the box, or press Choose TAR 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. Converting to 7Z uses our server, which deletes the file right after; the rest never leave your device.
Tips for converting TAR files without losing anything
Converting a TAR 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 TAR files from the command line
7-Zip extracts any of these formats, and a second command packs the result:
7z x input.tar -oextracted
cd extracted && 7z a ../output.zip .The converter on this page does the same job in your browser, without installing anything.
TAR converter FAQ
What is a TAR file?
TAR stands for Tape archive, an archive format created by Unix developers at Bell Labs in 1979. A TAR file bundles files without compressing them; it keeps Unix permissions and folder structure. It is usually compressed again with gzip, giving a .tar.gz or .tgz file.
How do I open a TAR file?
TAR opens natively on macOS and Linux, and with tar or 7-Zip on Windows. If the program you need will not open it, convert it to a more widely supported format above.
What is the most common TAR conversion?
TAR to ZIP is the conversion people search for most. Every file and folder in the TAR is extracted in your browser and packed into a new ZIP with the same structure. Nothing is uploaded.
Does converting TAR files here upload them?
Only for some conversions. Converting to 7Z uses our conversion server, where the file is deleted as soon as the result is sent back; the other conversions run inside your browser and never leave your device.
Is the TAR converter free?
Yes. There is no sign-up and no watermark. Conversions that use our server accept files up to 25 MB, with a fair-use limit per hour. The site is supported by advertising.
Can I convert TAR files on iPhone or Android?
Yes. Open this page in Safari on iPhone and iPad, or in Chrome on Android, choose your TAR files and download the results to your Downloads folder.
Can I convert several TAR files at once?
Yes. Drop as many as you like; they are converted one after another, each with its own download button.