To convert ARC to RAR, select or drop your .arc file above, check that RAR is chosen as the output, and click Convert. This conversion runs on our server, and your files are deleted 72 hours later.
What is an ARC file?
ARC – ARC archive. ARC is one of the first archive formats for DOS. It was replaced by ZIP in the late 1980s.
ARC Converter →What is a RAR file?
RAR – RAR archive. RAR is a proprietary archive format from RarLab, popular for large downloads because of its strong compression and recovery records. Opening it is free; creating it needs the licensed WinRAR tools.
RAR Converter →How to convert ARC to RAR
- Click Select File, or drop your .arc files anywhere on this page. You can add several at once.
- Check that RAR is chosen as the output format. On this page it is picked for you.
- Click Convert. When a file has to go to our server, the button says Upload and convert instead.
- Click Download next to each file when it's done.
ARC vs RAR: how they compare
| ARC | RAR | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Archive | Archive |
| Holds | Many files and folders | Many files and folders |
| Compression | LZW variants | RAR (proprietary) |
| Encryption | None | AES-256 (RAR5), AES-128 (RAR4) |
| Created by | System Enhancement Associates, 1985 | Eugene Roshal, 1993 |
| Best for | Opening very old DOS archives | Large downloads split into parts |
Good to know
- ARC is an old format that today's computers rarely open by themselves. RAR files are much easier to open, share and keep.
- Creating RAR files needs RarLab's licensed rar program, so RAR files are made on our server, never in your browser.
- Symbolic links, hard links and special files (such as devices) are left out of the result for safety; the page tells you when it does this.
Frequently asked questions
Is converting ARC to RAR free?
Yes. Everyone gets 25 free credits a day, with no account needed. Conversions on our server use one credit per started minute of work, so most cost a single credit. Credits reset at midnight UTC.
Are my ARC files uploaded anywhere?
This conversion runs on our server, because creating RAR files needs RarLab's licensed rar program. Your file is sent over an encrypted connection, and both it and the result are deleted 72 hours after the conversion.
How large can the ARC file be?
Up to 1 GB per file. This conversion runs on our server, which accepts files up to that size.
Will the folders inside my ARC be kept?
Yes. The RAR has the same folders and file names as the ARC. Only links and special files are left out, and the page tells you if it did that.
Can I convert several ARC files at once?
Yes. Add as many files as you like; they are converted one after another, and each one gets its own Download button.
Convert ARC to other formats
- ARC Converter
- ARC to ZIP Converter
- ARC to 7Z Converter
- ARC to TAR Converter
- ARC to TAR.GZ Converter
- ARC to TAR.BZ2 Converter
- ARC to TAR.XZ Converter
Convert other files to RAR
- Convert to RAR
- ZIP to RAR Converter
- 7Z to RAR Converter
- TAR.GZ to RAR Converter
- TAR to RAR Converter
- ISO to RAR Converter
- GZ to RAR Converter
- TGZ to RAR Converter
- TAR.XZ to RAR Converter
- CAB to RAR Converter
- JAR to RAR Converter
Just need the files inside?
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