Free online RAR to ZIP converter
RAR to ZIP Converter
Convert RAR to ZIP right inside your browser. Files are processed locally with WebAssembly, so nothing is ever uploaded to a server. Preview what is inside the archive first, choose the files you need, and download a clean ZIP.
Drop your .rar file here
Archive contents
Click a text or image file to preview it before packing
Split archives
Split archives are supported: drop every volume at once (.part1.rar, .part2.rar …, or the older .rar + .r00 + .r01 chain) and this tool joins them back into one archive before converting.
Conversion stopped
This archive is password-protected.
The password is used only in this page and is never sent anywhere.
Preview
How to convert RAR to ZIP in 3 steps
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Drop the .rar file
Drag your archive onto the tool above or click to choose it. The file is read locally by your browser.
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Conversion runs in your browser
The archive is unpacked and repacked as a ZIP entirely on your device. No server round-trip, no waiting queue.
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Download the .zip
Pick the files you want, press one button, and the finished ZIP is saved straight to your downloads folder.
What this converter supports
The short version of what the tool can and cannot do, so you know before you start.
| Supported | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| Archive size | No artificial limit Official source | The archive is processed in your device's memory, so how large a file works depends on your machine. Very large files want a desktop browser. |
| Usage limits | Free, no caps Official source | No sign-up, no daily caps, no per-file charges: the tool runs entirely in your browser. |
| Split volumes | Supported Official source | Drop every volume at once (.part1.rar, .part2.rar ... or the older .rar + .r00 + .r01) and they are joined before conversion. |
| Encrypted archives | Supported with password Partially verified | Enter the password when prompted and the archive is decrypted locally. Verified for RAR5 data and filename encryption and RAR4 filename encryption; encrypted split volumes are not supported. |
| Preview before packing | Text and images Official source | The tool lists the full contents first; click a text file or an image to view it in the page without extracting the whole archive. |
Everything listed here runs locally in your browser: files are never uploaded.
Convert RAR to ZIP locally or in the cloud?
RAR to ZIP Converter runs entirely on your device. Typical online converters upload your file to their servers first. That is the whole architectural difference, and it drives every row in this table.
| This site | Typical online converters | |
|---|---|---|
| Is the file uploaded to a server? | No. Processing happens in your browser. | Yes. The file is uploaded, processed remotely, then offered back as a download. |
| Account required? | No sign-up of any kind. | Often yes, or required for larger files. |
| Usage limits | No artificial limits. The practical size limit depends on your device's memory. | Daily caps, per-file MB caps, or paid plans. |
| Large files | Handled as well as your device's memory allows; there is no server-side cap. Very large archives need a machine with enough free memory. | Often capped at 100 MB to 2 GB on free tiers. |
| Privacy | The file never leaves your computer, so there is nothing to leak from our side. | Your file sits on a third-party server at least temporarily. |
We do not name competitors and we do not claim to be faster. The difference is architectural: local processing versus cloud processing.
RAR vs ZIP: what is the difference?
Both are archive formats. They differ in who owns the format, what features they offer, and what software can open them by default.
| RAR | ZIP | |
|---|---|---|
| Format owner | Developed by Eugene Roshal, licensed through RARLAB (source: rarlab.com) | Public specification maintained by PKWARE (the APPNOTE) |
| Can Windows and Mac open it natively? | No. Windows and macOS cannot extract .rar files without extra software. | Yes. Both operating systems open ZIP files out of the box. |
| Compression | Proprietary RAR compression, generally strong on many media types | Standard Deflate, plus newer methods in the spec |
| Splitting into volumes | Yes, a core RAR feature (.part1.rar, .part2.rar ...) | Not part of the base format in practice |
| Recovery record | Yes, RAR can embed data used to repair damaged archives | No equivalent in the base spec |
| Creating archives | Creating RAR requires the licensed WinRAR/rar tools | Creating ZIP is free and supported everywhere |
| Typical use | Distribution of large downloads, split uploads, backup with recovery data | Everyday sharing, email attachments, universal compatibility |
Neither format is better in the absolute. RAR wins when you need volumes or recovery data and already have a tool that can read it. ZIP wins when the person receiving the file should be able to open it with nothing extra installed. Converting RAR to ZIP trades RAR-specific features for universal compatibility.
What is a RAR file?
A .rar file is a compressed archive: one file that bundles other files and folders together and shrinks them for storage or transfer. The name comes from its creator: RAR stands for Roshal Archive, after the Russian programmer Eugene Roshal who developed the format in the 1990s. The format is owned and maintained by RARLAB.
Current versions
RAR 4.x and RAR 5.x (two on-disk formats)
RARLAB technical documentation Official source
Why so common
Long-time default for splitting large downloads across forums and file hosts
General format history Partially verified
How to open a RAR file
Windows and macOS cannot open .rar files by themselves, so you need a tool. The fastest path is this site: drop the RAR above and you can see its contents and extract them without installing anything. If you prefer installed software, WinRAR and 7-Zip are the common choices on Windows, and The Unarchiver is a common free choice on macOS.
On Windows
- Use this site to extract the archive in your browser, no installation.
- Install 7-Zip (free, open source) from 7-zip.org.
- Install WinRAR from rarlab.com (paid after a trial period).
On Mac
- Use this site in Safari or Chrome: the conversion runs locally on your Mac.
- Install The Unarchiver from the Mac App Store (free).
- Install WinRAR for macOS from rarlab.com (command line + GUI).
Full guide with step-by-step instructions for every platform
Works on Windows, Mac, and mobile browsers
The converter is a web page that runs standard browser technology. If your browser can run a modern website, it can run this tool.
Windows
Works in Chrome, Edge, and Firefox on Windows 10 and 11. No installation, no admin rights needed.
macOS
Yes, it works in Safari on macOS, and equally in Chrome or Firefox. Files are processed on your Mac and never uploaded.
Browsers and memory
Any current browser with WebAssembly support works. The practical size limit depends on your device's memory, and the whole archive has to fit in it. For very large archives, use a desktop browser and close other tabs.
Are RAR files safe?
Why processing locally is the safe default
An archive is only as safe as its contents, and you cannot judge contents you cannot see. That is why this tool shows you the file tree before extracting anything, and why nothing is uploaded: the file stays on your device while you inspect it.
Check the source. An archive from the developer's official site is a different risk class than one from a random download page.
Look before you open. Use the preview in the tool above, or scan the file with your antivirus software before extracting.
An archive is a container, not a safety certificate. A .rar file can hold anything, including installers you did not ask for.
Disclaimer
This website converts and extracts archive files entirely in your browser; files are processed locally on your own device and are never uploaded to our servers. You are solely responsible for ensuring that you have the legal right to use any file you process, and for complying with the laws of your jurisdiction. This site does not host, distribute, or provide access to any third-party content, and is not affiliated with RARLAB (the creator of the RAR format) or WinRAR.
Frequently asked questions
Is it free? Are there any limits?
Yes, it is free. There are no sign-ups, no daily caps, and no per-MB charges. The only practical limit is your device's memory, because the archive is processed locally in your browser.
Do you upload my files to a server?
No. The conversion runs entirely in your browser using WebAssembly. Your file is read from disk, processed on your device, and written back as a ZIP. No file contents are ever transmitted to this site.
How large a RAR file can I convert?
The limit depends on your device's memory, not on an artificial cap. The whole archive has to fit in memory while it is processed, so very large files want a desktop browser and a machine with memory to spare. On phones or older machines, large archives may fail when memory runs out.
Do you support password-protected or encrypted RAR files?
Yes. When an archive is password-protected, the tool asks for the password and decryption runs entirely in your browser; the password is never sent anywhere. Common encryption (RAR5 data and filename encryption, RAR4 filename encryption) is supported; encrypted split volumes are not.
Do you support split archives (.part1.rar, .part2.rar)?
Yes. Drop every volume at once (.part1.rar, .part2.rar and so on, or the older .rar + .r00 + .r01 chain): this tool joins them into one archive before converting. Keep the original file names so the volumes can be ordered correctly.
Is the folder structure inside the archive preserved?
Yes. Folders and subfolders inside the RAR are rebuilt inside the ZIP at the same paths, including folders that hold no files. File modification dates are not carried over: every entry in the new ZIP is stamped with the time the ZIP was created.
Can I preview the files inside a RAR before extracting?
Yes. After you drop the file, the tool lists the full contents without unpacking anything. Text files and images can be previewed directly in the page; other types are listed with their sizes. Nothing leaves your device during preview.
Does it work on Mac, iPhone, and Android?
Mac: yes, in Safari, Chrome, or Firefox. iPhone and Android: the tool runs in mobile browsers, but very large archives may fail because phones have less memory. For big files, use a desktop browser.
Is a RAR file safe to open?
A RAR file is a container, so it is exactly as safe as whatever was packed inside it. Check that the source is trustworthy, scan it with antivirus software if in doubt, and preview the contents before extracting. Processing locally, as this tool does, means you are not adding a third party to that risk.
RAR vs ZIP: which should I use?
Use ZIP when you want the file to open anywhere without extra software; ZIP is the universal standard. RAR makes sense when you need volumes, a recovery record, or already know the recipient can read RAR. Converting RAR to ZIP is the right move when universal compatibility matters more than RAR-specific features.
Why can't Windows open .rar files by itself?
Microsoft has never licensed the RAR decompression code for inclusion in Windows, so Windows opens ZIP natively but not RAR. You need a third-party tool, either an installed one like 7-Zip or WinRAR, or a browser-based converter like this site.