How to Convert TAR to ZIP on Mac

A .tar file bundles many files into one without compressing them. Drop it below to repack it as a ZIP – right on your Mac, without installing anything.

Drop a .tar.gz, .tgz or .tar file here

Nothing is uploaded · RAR and 7z aren't supported

Opened on your device. Your archive never leaves your browser.

Step by step: Convert TAR to ZIP on Mac

  1. 1

    Open this page in Safari, Chrome or Firefox on your Mac.

  2. 2

    Drag the file from Finder onto the box above, or click the box to choose it.

  3. 3

    The archive is unpacked and repacked as a ZIP with the same folders and file names.

  4. 4

    Click Download. The file is saved to your Downloads folder (Finder › Downloads, or the dock).

Why convert to ZIP

  • ZIP is the universal archive format: Windows, macOS, iPhone, Android and Chromebooks can all open it without extra apps.
  • The folder structure inside the TAR is kept exactly, so nothing gets flattened or renamed.

About TAR files

  • A .tar file bundles many files into one without compressing them. It's common on Linux and macOS but awkward to open on phones and older Windows PCs.

Tips for Mac

  • macOS's Archive Utility opens TAR and TAR.GZ files on double-click. Converting to ZIP is for when you need to send the files to someone on Windows or a phone.
  • Works on Apple silicon and Intel Macs alike – nothing to download from the App Store.

Frequently asked questions

Is a .tar file safe to open?

Extracting an archive is safe in itself – nothing inside runs. Be careful with programs (.exe, .sh, .app) you then choose to open, as with any download.

Is there a size limit?

No fixed limit. Archives of hundreds of megabytes work on most computers; phones may struggle with very large ones because everything happens in memory.

Are my files uploaded to a server?

No. The conversion runs in your browser using your device's own processor, so your files never leave your device. You can even disconnect from the internet once the page has loaded.

Where does the converted file go on my Mac?

Click Download. The file is saved to your Downloads folder (Finder › Downloads, or the dock).

Need more options? Open the full TAR.GZ to ZIP tool →

Related guides

How to Convert TAR to ZIP onlineHow to Convert TAR to ZIP on iPhoneHow to Convert TAR to ZIP on AndroidHow to Convert TAR to ZIP on WindowsHow to Convert TAR to ZIP on ChromebookHow to Convert TAR.GZ to ZIP on MacHow to Convert TGZ to ZIP on Mac