How to convert ZIP to TAR
- 1
Upload your file
Drag and drop a file or click to select one. Keep this page open while the file uploads and converts.
- 2
Convert ZIP to TAR
NexMedia converts ZIP to TAR on its own servers. Processing time depends on the file size and how busy the queue is.
- 3
Download the converted file
When the conversion finishes, the download appears on this page. Your converted file is kept for 2 hours, then deleted.
About ZIP
ZIP is the most widely used archive format, created by Phil Katz in 1989. It compresses each file separately, usually with the Deflate method.
Sending several files as one download or attachment; Windows and macOS open ZIP files without extra software.
Classic ZIP encryption is weak, and AES-encrypted ZIP files need a tool such as 7-Zip to open.
Convert ZIP to TAR online free, no account required — TAR is an uncompressed Unix archive.
Change ZIP to TAR without losing quality — convert ZIP to TAR free in your browser.
Why won't zipping my photos or videos make them smaller? JPG, MP4 and similar formats are already compressed, so a ZIP archive of them barely shrinks — converting the media to a leaner format is what actually saves space.
About TAR
TAR (tape archive) bundles many files and folders into one file and keeps their Unix permissions, but it does not compress them.
Backups and software distribution on Linux and macOS, usually combined with gzip, bzip2 or xz.
A plain .tar file is about as large as the files inside, because no compression is applied.
Why convert archives to TAR? For Linux and macOS servers, where TAR bundles preserve Unix permissions and directory structures exactly.
What changes when you convert ZIP to TAR
- No data is lost: every file in your ZIP archive is packed into the TAR archive byte for byte, with its name and folder.
- Your ZIP archive is unpacked and its files are packed again into a new TAR archive; file names and folders are kept, and the ZIP file itself is not stored inside.
Settings you can change
Before you convert ZIP to TAR, you can adjust: Compression level, Split size, Password, and Root folder.
Limits
Each plan sets a maximum file size and a number of conversions per day, and video and audio files also have a maximum length. Guests can convert files up to 100 megabytes and 5 per day; a free account raises this to 500 megabytes and 25 per day; paid plans go up to 100 gigabytes.
Your converted TAR file is kept for 2 hours, then deleted.
ZIP to TAR: questions and answers
Does converting ZIP to TAR reduce quality?
No data is lost: every file in your ZIP archive is packed into the TAR archive byte for byte, with its name and folder.
What is the difference between ZIP and TAR?
ZIP is the universally supported archive format. TAR is an uncompressed Unix archive.
Can I change the settings when converting ZIP to TAR?
Before you convert ZIP to TAR, you can adjust: Compression level, Split size, Password, and Root folder.
Do I need an account to convert ZIP to TAR?
No. You can convert ZIP to TAR without an account; signing in raises the file-size and daily limits.
How long is my converted TAR file kept?
The TAR file you convert from ZIP is kept for 2 hours, then deleted automatically.
Does converting ZIP to TAR keep my folder structure?
Your ZIP archive is unpacked and its files are packed again into a new TAR archive; file names and folders are kept, and the ZIP file itself is not stored inside.
Will converting ZIP to TAR change my original file?
No. The conversion reads your ZIP and writes a new TAR file, leaving your original ZIP file untouched.