CPIO to RAR Converter

Convert CPIO files to RAR online, for free, with nothing to install.

To convert CPIO to RAR, select or drop your .cpio 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 a CPIO file?

CPIO – CPIO archive. CPIO is an old Unix archive format that is still used inside RPM packages and for the Linux boot ramdisk (initramfs).

CPIO 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 CPIO to RAR

  1. Click Select File, or drop your .cpio files anywhere on this page. You can add several at once.
  2. Check that RAR is chosen as the output format. On this page it is picked for you.
  3. Click Convert. When a file has to go to our server, the button says Upload and convert instead.
  4. Click Download next to each file when it's done.

CPIO vs RAR: how they compare

CPIORAR
TypeArchiveArchive
HoldsMany files and foldersMany files and folders
CompressionNoneRAR (proprietary)
EncryptionNoneAES-256 (RAR5), AES-128 (RAR4)
Created byUnix, 1970sEugene Roshal, 1993
Best forLinux packages and boot imagesLarge downloads split into parts

Good to know

  • 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 CPIO 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 CPIO 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 CPIO 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 CPIO be kept?

Yes. The RAR has the same folders and file names as the CPIO. Only links and special files are left out, and the page tells you if it did that.

Can I convert several CPIO 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 CPIO to other formats

Convert other files to RAR

Just need the files inside?

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