Archive Converter
Someone sends a .rar and your computer won't open it, or a site only accepts .zip — archive formats don't always play nicely together. FluidConvert converts between ZIP, RAR, 7Z, TAR, GZ and more instantly in your browser, free and with no software to install.
Drop your file here, or browse
Accepts: .zip, .rar, .7z, .tar, .gz, .bz2 · Max 1GB · always free
Uploads use TLS encryption. Server outputs are temporary and deleted after one hour. Download your result to keep it.
Choose your archive file, then select an output format: ZIP, TAR, 7Z, GZ, BZ2.
Fast & Free
Convert files up to 1GB free with no account. Processing limits depend on the format and file contents.
Secure
Uploads use TLS encryption. Supported image conversions can run in your browser.
Check Your Result
Quality, transparency, and supported features depend on the output format. Keep your original file.
How to use Archive Converter
Upload Your File
Choose your archive file using the upload area. The maximum file size is 1GB; processing also depends on your device and the file's contents.
Check the Output Format
After choosing a file, select ZIP, TAR, 7Z, GZ, BZ2 under Convert to, then click Convert Now.
Download Your File
Download the result in your selected format. Open it to check the content and keep your original file.
About Archive Converter
Why archive formats aren't interchangeable
An archive bundles many files into one and usually compresses them, but the bundling and compression methods differ by format. ZIP is built into Windows and macOS and opens everywhere. RAR compresses tightly but needs special software to open and can't be created by most built-in tools. 7Z offers the best compression but isn't natively supported by most systems. TAR and GZ come from the Linux/Unix world, often combined as .tar.gz. Converting between them re-bundles the contents into a format the receiving system can actually open.
Which archive format should you use?
Use ZIP for maximum compatibility — it opens natively on Windows, Mac, phones, and almost every upload form, making it the safe default for sharing. Use 7Z when you want the smallest possible file and know the recipient can open it. Use TAR or TAR.GZ when working with Linux servers or developer tools that expect them. Convert RAR files you receive into ZIP if you don't have RAR software installed.
What conversion does to your files
Converting an archive extracts the original files and re-packages them in the new format — the files inside are never altered, only the container around them changes. Compression level may differ (a 7Z will usually be smaller than the same contents as ZIP), but the documents, images, or folders inside come out identical. Folder structure and filenames are preserved through the conversion.
How FluidConvert handles it
Archives are repacked on secure cloud servers in seconds, with the internal folder structure kept intact. Uploads are encrypted in transit and deleted automatically afterward — your files are never stored or inspected.
When to use Archive Converter
- Converting a RAR file to ZIP so it opens without installing extra software
- Repackaging a 7Z archive as ZIP for a recipient on Windows or Mac
- Turning a ZIP into 7Z to get the smallest possible file for storage
- Converting TAR.GZ archives from a Linux server into ZIP
- Standardizing mixed archive formats into ZIP before sharing
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I open a RAR file without special software?
Convert it to ZIP, which opens natively on Windows, macOS, and most phones with no extra software. The files inside come out unchanged — only the archive format around them changes.
Which archive format is the most compatible?
ZIP. It's built into virtually every operating system and accepted by almost every website and email service, making it the safest choice when you're not sure what the recipient can open.
Does converting an archive change the files inside it?
No. Conversion extracts your files and repackages them in the new format. The contents — documents, images, folders — come out byte-for-byte identical; only the surrounding archive format and its compression change.
Why is a 7Z file smaller than the same files as a ZIP?
7Z uses a more advanced compression algorithm than ZIP, so it squeezes the same contents into a smaller file. The trade-off is compatibility — 7Z needs supporting software to open, while ZIP works everywhere out of the box.
How large an archive can I convert?
Up to 1GB per file, free and unlimited — enough for large bundles of documents, images, or project files.