How do I convert TAR to ZIP?

Add your TAR file to the upload area above, then press Convert. The ZIP file downloads straight to your device. You do not need an account, and there is no watermark.

Are my files uploaded to a server?

No. This conversion runs entirely inside your browser using WebAssembly, so the file never leaves your device — you can even disconnect from the internet after the page loads and it will still work.

Does converting to ZIP reduce quality?

File contents are byte-identical; only the container changes.

How large a file can I convert?

Up to 500 MB per file for this conversion. Because the work happens in your browser, the practical limit is your device's memory — larger files work on a desktop with plenty of RAM and may fail on an older phone.

Can I convert several files at once?

Yes. Add as many as you like and press Convert All. Each file is processed independently, so one failure does not stop the rest, and you can download everything together as a ZIP.

Can I use this on my phone?

Yes. FileTools360 works in mobile browsers on iOS and Android, including choosing files straight from your camera roll. Very large videos may run out of memory on a phone — those are better converted on a laptop.

ArchiveRepackagedRuns in your browser

TAR to ZIP Converter

Turn TAR files into ZIP in a couple of clicks. Uncompressed Unix bundle — usually paired with gzip. The universal compressed archive. Files are unpacked and repacked; their contents are unchanged.

On your deviceNever uploadedGone when you close the tabHow this works

Drop your files here

TAR files (.tar) · up to 500 MB each

or paste files from your clipboard

Ready when you are

Drop a TAR file above and FileTools360 will turn it into ZIP — right here on your device, without uploading anything.

⌘K to search converters

How to use it

1
Add your TAR files
Drag them onto the upload area, choose them from your device, or paste them from your clipboard. You can queue several at once.
2
Adjust the settings if you want to
The defaults suit most people. Open Advanced to control the output settings.
3
Convert and download
Press Convert. Everything happens on your own device — nothing is uploaded. Download files one by one, or grab them all as a ZIP.

TAR and ZIP explained

TAR bundles files without compressing them, preserving Unix permissions, ownership and symbolic links. It is almost always paired with a compressor, giving .tar.gz.

ZIP bundles multiple files into one and compresses them. Its indispensable property is that every operating system can open it with no extra software.

Where TAR files come from: Unix and Linux software distribution and backups.
Where ZIP is used: Email attachments, downloads and file transfers.

TAR vs ZIP

The two formats solve different problems, which is why converting between them involves trade-offs rather than a straight upgrade.

TAR compared with ZIP
Property	Source	Target
Compression	None	Lossless
Introduced	1979	1989
Browser support	Native on macOS and Linux; needs a tool on Windows.	Built into every operating system.

TAR is stronger at: Preserves Unix permissions and symlinks. Streams well, so it works over pipes. Simple, stable specification.
ZIP is stronger at: Built into Windows, macOS and Linux. Individual files can be extracted without unpacking everything. Optional encryption.

Why convert TAR to ZIP?

People make this switch when they run into the limits of TAR: sending to Windows users. ZIP is the better fit when sending several files to someone whose setup you cannot control.

TAR limitations that prompt the switch: No compression by itself. No index, so extracting one file means reading the archive. Awkward on Windows without extra tools.
What you give up: Compresses each file separately, so it is less efficient than solid archives. Its encryption has known weaknesses in the older variant.

What is preserved when converting TAR to ZIP?

Both formats store the content without discarding data, so this conversion preserves it exactly. The file size may change because the two formats compress differently, but the content itself is unaffected.

About these formats

Source

Tape Archive

Uncompressed Unix bundle — usually paired with gzip.

Extensions: .tar
MIME type: application/x-tar
Best for: Unix and Linux workflows · Preserving permissions
Compatibility: Native on macOS and Linux; needs a tool on Windows.

Target

ZIP Archive

The universal compressed archive.

Extensions: .zip
MIME type: application/zip
Best for: Bundling files · Email attachments · Downloads
Compatibility: Built into every operating system.

This is an unpack-and-repack, not a format conversion: the files inside are extracted and written into a new ZIP. File contents are byte-identical; Unix permissions and symlinks are not carried over.

Good to know