How to Convert TAR.GZ to ZIP on Mac

A .tar.gz file is a TAR archive compressed with gzip – the standard way Linux software, code projects and server backups are packaged. 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.GZ 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.GZ is kept exactly, so nothing gets flattened or renamed.

About TAR.GZ files

  • A .tar.gz file is a TAR archive compressed with gzip – the standard way Linux software, code projects and server backups are packaged. Phones and older versions of Windows can't open it without an extra app.

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.gz 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 →

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