Archive format
What is a .tar file?
TAR is an archive format from Unix that joins many files into one without compressing them. It keeps permissions and folder structure.
It’s usually compressed afterwards with gzip, which gives .tar.gz or .tgz. It’s the common way to distribute software on Linux.
fileclay unpacks and creates TAR
TAR vs GZ vs ZIP
| TAR | GZ | ZIP | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Several files | Yes | No | Yes |
| Compresses | No | Yes | Yes |
| Keeps Unix permissions | Yes | Not applicable | Partly |
| Best for | Packing on Linux | Compressing one file or a TAR | Sharing folders |
When to use TAR
Good for
- Backups on Linux and macOS
- Distributing source code
- Keeping file permissions
Not a good fit
- Reducing size on its own: it doesn’t compress
- Sharing with Windows users: ZIP is simpler
- Extracting one file quickly from a huge archive
How to open .tar files
| Platform | App | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Linux, macOS | Terminal, Archive Utility | Built in |
| Windows 11 | File Explorer | Built in |
| Any system | 7-Zip | Free |
Convert TAR files
Drop a .tar into the converter and it’s unpacked. Results can also be downloaded as one archive.
Conversions run in your browser. Files aren’t uploaded.
Questions about TAR
Does TAR compress files?
No. It only joins them. Compression comes from gzip or similar.
What is the difference between TAR and TAR.GZ?
TAR.GZ is a TAR compressed with gzip.
Can Windows open TAR?
Windows 11 can. Older versions need 7-Zip.