# Open TAR.GZ Files Online

Source code, backups, server logs and Linux downloads often come as .tar.gz. Open one here and save the files inside, without a terminal or an extra app.

_Source: https://sharelargefilesfree.com/tools/extract-tar-gz · Updated 2026-09-29_

**Quick answer:** To open a .tar.gz file, choose it here and press Extract files: the gzip layer is decompressed and the TAR archive unpacked in your browser, up to 1 GB, and you save the files one by one or as a ZIP. .tgz, .tar.bz2, .tar.xz and plain .tar files work the same way.

## How to use it

1. Choose the .tar.gz, .tgz, .tar.xz, .tar.bz2 or .tar file.
2. Check the list of files it contains.
3. Press Extract files.
4. Save single files, or everything as a ZIP that opens on any device.

## Two layers: TAR and gzip

A .tar.gz is two formats in one. **TAR** bundles many files and folders into one file, keeping names and folder structure; **gzip** then compresses that bundle. Opening it means undoing both, which this page does in one step. The same goes for other compressors:

| Extension | Compression |
| --- | --- |
| .tar.gz, .tgz | gzip, the most common |
| .tar.bz2, .tbz2 | bzip2, smaller, slower |
| .tar.xz, .txz | xz, smallest, used for many Linux downloads |
| .tar | none, just bundled |

## Opening TAR.GZ on each device

- **Windows 10 and 11**: the built-in tar command works in a terminal (tar -xzf file.tar.gz); recent Windows 11 versions also open these archives in File Explorer; 7-Zip works too.
- **Mac**: double-clicking uses Archive Utility, and tar is built into Terminal.
- **iPhone, iPad and Android**: support in the Files apps varies; this page works in Safari and Chrome.

## Limits and a single .gz file

The archive is read into memory, so very large archives are better on a computer. Password-protected and split archives are not supported. For RAR and 7z use [Extract RAR](https://sharelargefilesfree.com/tools/extract-rar) or [Extract 7z](https://sharelargefilesfree.com/tools/extract-7z); for ZIP, [Unzip files](https://sharelargefilesfree.com/tools/unzip-files).

## Frequently asked questions

### How do I open a .tar.gz file on Windows?

Choose it on this page and press Extract files, or run tar -xzf file.tar.gz in a Windows terminal, or use 7-Zip.

### What is the difference between .tar.gz and .tgz?

None. .tgz is a short form of .tar.gz: a TAR archive compressed with gzip.

### Are folders kept?

Each extracted file shows the folder it came from, but the files are saved by name without the folder tree. For deeply nested source trees, a desktop tool such as 7-Zip keeps the structure.

### Is the archive uploaded?

No. It is unpacked in your browser.