What is a TAR.GZ file?
TAR.GZ stands for Gzip-compressed tar archive. It was created by the GNU project and first released in 1992. A .tar.gz file is made in two steps: the files are joined into a TAR, which keeps folders and Unix permissions, and the TAR is compressed as a whole with gzip. TGZ is the same format with a shorter extension.
TGZ is the same format under another extension.
| Type | archive |
|---|---|
| Compression | Lossless |
| In a browser | opens natively on macOS and Linux, and on Windows 11 since its 2023 update |
| Common uses | source code releases, Linux software and server backups |
| MIME type | application/gzip |
Which format should you convert TAR.GZ to?
- TAR.GZ to ZIP to open on any computer or phone without extra software.
- TAR.GZ to TAR for Linux, Mac and server tools.
How to open a TAR.GZ file
Whether a TAR.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 | TAR.GZ opens natively on macOS and Linux, and on Windows 11 since its 2023 update. |
TAR.GZ compared with other archive formats
How TAR.GZ stacks up against the formats people most often convert it to or from:
| Format | Compression | Usually contains | Released | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TAR.GZ | Lossless | a TAR archive compressed with gzip | 1992 | source code releases, Linux software and server 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 |
| TAR | Lossless | files and folders joined end to end, without compression | 1979 | software source code and Linux and Mac backups |
How to use the TAR.GZ converter
- Choose the format you want in the Convert to menu.
- Drop your TAR.GZ files on the box, or press Choose TAR.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 TAR.GZ files without losing anything
Converting a TAR.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 TAR.GZ files from the command line
tar unpacks the archive on a Mac, Linux or Windows 10 and later, and a second command packs the result:
mkdir extracted && tar -xzf input.tar.gz -C extracted
cd extracted && tar -cf ../output.tar .The converter on this page does the same job in your browser, without installing anything.
TAR.GZ converter FAQ
What is a TAR.GZ file?
TAR.GZ stands for Gzip-compressed tar archive, an alternative extension for a archive format created by the GNU project in 1992. A .tar.gz file is made in two steps: the files are joined into a TAR, which keeps folders and Unix permissions, and the TAR is compressed as a whole with gzip. TGZ is the same format with a shorter extension.
How do I open a TAR.GZ file?
TAR.GZ opens natively on macOS and Linux, and on Windows 11 since its 2023 update. If the program you need will not open it, convert it to a more widely supported format above.
What is the most common TAR.GZ conversion?
TAR.GZ to TAR is the conversion people search for most. Every file and folder in the TAR.GZ is extracted in your browser and packed into a new TAR with the same structure. Nothing is uploaded.
Does converting TAR.GZ files here upload them?
No. Every conversion on this page runs inside your browser, so your TAR.GZ files never leave your device.
Is the TAR.GZ converter free?
Yes. There is no sign-up and no watermark, and no limit on how many TAR.GZ files you convert. The site is supported by advertising.
Can I convert TAR.GZ files on iPhone or Android?
Yes. Open this page in Safari on iPhone and iPad, or in Chrome on Android, choose your TAR.GZ files and download the results to your Downloads folder.
Can I convert several TAR.GZ files at once?
Yes. Drop as many as you like; they are converted one after another, each with its own download button.