To convert Z to ZIP, select or drop your .z file above, check that ZIP is chosen as the output, and click Convert. Files up to 200 MB are converted right in your browser, so they never leave your device.
What is a Z file?
Z – Unix compress file. Z is a single file compressed with the classic Unix compress program. It has mostly been replaced by gzip.
Z Converter →What is a ZIP file?
ZIP – ZIP archive. ZIP is the most widely supported archive format: every operating system opens it without extra software. It compresses each file separately, usually with Deflate, so single files can be pulled out quickly.
ZIP Converter →How to convert Z to ZIP
- Click Select File, or drop your .z files anywhere on this page. You can add several at once.
- Check that ZIP 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.
Z vs ZIP: how they compare
| Z | ZIP | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Compressed single file | Archive |
| Holds | One file | Many files and folders |
| Compression | LZW | Deflate |
| Encryption | None | AES-256, or the weak legacy ZipCrypto |
| Created by | Unix compress, 1984 | Phil Katz (PKWARE), 1989 |
| Best for | Opening old Unix files | Sharing files with anyone |
Good to know
- a Z file holds a single compressed file, so the result is a ZIP archive with that one file in it.
- Z is an old format that today's computers rarely open by themselves. ZIP 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 Z to ZIP 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 Z files uploaded anywhere?
Files up to 200 MB never leave your device: ConvertKitty runs 7-Zip inside your browser. Only larger files, or formats your browser cannot handle, are sent to our server, over an encrypted connection, and deleted 72 hours after the conversion. The button says "Upload and convert" whenever that happens.
How large can the Z file be?
Files up to 200 MB are converted right in your browser. Larger files, up to 1 GB, are converted on our server.
Will the folders inside my Z be kept?
a Z file holds just one file, so there are no folders to keep: the ZIP will contain that one file.
Can I convert several Z 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 Z to other formats
- Z Converter
- Z to 7Z Converter
- Z to TAR Converter
- Z to TAR.GZ Converter
- Z to TAR.BZ2 Converter
- Z to TAR.XZ Converter
- Z to RAR Converter
Convert other files to ZIP
- Convert to ZIP
- RAR to ZIP Converter
- 7Z to ZIP Converter
- TAR.GZ to ZIP Converter
- TAR to ZIP Converter
- ISO to ZIP Converter
- GZ to ZIP Converter
- TGZ to ZIP Converter
- TAR.XZ to ZIP Converter
- CAB to ZIP Converter
- JAR to ZIP Converter
Just need the files inside?
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