To convert ARC to TAR, select or drop your .arc file above, check that TAR 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 TAR file?
TAR – Tape archive. TAR bundles files and folders into one archive without compressing them, keeping Unix permissions and timestamps. It is usually paired with a compressor such as gzip or xz.
TAR Converter →How to convert ARC to TAR
- Click Select File, or drop your .arc files anywhere on this page. You can add several at once.
- Check that TAR 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 TAR: how they compare
| ARC | TAR | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Archive | Archive |
| Holds | Many files and folders | Many files and folders |
| Compression | LZW variants | None |
| Encryption | None | None |
| Created by | System Enhancement Associates, 1985 | Unix, 1979 |
| Best for | Opening very old DOS archives | Bundling folders on Linux and macOS |
Good to know
- TAR doesn't compress, so the TAR is usually bigger than the ARC it came from. Pick TAR.GZ or TAR.XZ for a smaller file.
- ARC is an old format that today's computers rarely open by themselves. TAR files are much easier to open, share and keep.
- 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 TAR 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. 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 TAR 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.GZ Converter
- ARC to TAR.BZ2 Converter
- ARC to TAR.XZ Converter
- ARC to RAR Converter
Convert other files to TAR
- Convert to TAR
- ZIP to TAR Converter
- RAR to TAR Converter
- 7Z to TAR Converter
- TAR.GZ to TAR Converter
- ISO to TAR Converter
- GZ to TAR Converter
- TGZ to TAR Converter
- TAR.XZ to TAR Converter
- CAB to TAR Converter
- JAR to TAR Converter
Just need the files inside?
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