How to Change TGZ to ZIP on Mac
A .tgz is identical to a .tar.gz – a TAR archive compressed with gzip – just with a shorter extension. Drop it below to repackage it as a ZIP, right on your Mac and without installing a thing.
Drop a .tar.gz, .tgz or .tar file here
Nothing is uploaded · RAR and 7z aren't supported
Opened on your device. Your archive never leaves your browser.
The steps: Change TGZ to ZIP on Mac
- 1
Open this page in Safari, Chrome or Firefox on your Mac.
- 2
Drag the file out of Finder onto the box above, or click the box to choose it.
- 3
The archive is unpacked, then packed again as a ZIP with identical folders and file names.
- 4
Click Download. You'll find the file in your Downloads folder (in Finder or on the Dock).
Why ZIP is easier
- ZIP is the archive format everything understands: Windows, macOS, iPhone, Android and Chromebooks open it with no extra software.
- Folders inside the TGZ keep exactly the same structure, so nothing is flattened or renamed.
TGZ files in brief
- A .tgz is identical to a .tar.gz – a TAR archive compressed with gzip – just with a shorter extension. npm packages and lots of Linux downloads use it.
Mac tips
- Double-clicking a TAR or TAR.GZ opens it in macOS's Archive Utility. Converting to ZIP matters when the files are going to someone on Windows or a phone.
- It runs the same on Apple silicon and Intel Macs, with nothing to get from the App Store.
Questions & answers
Is opening a .tgz file safe?
Extracting an archive is safe by itself – nothing inside gets run. Treat any programs you then open (.exe, .sh, .app) with the same care as any download.
How large can the archive be?
There's no fixed cap. Archives of several hundred megabytes work on most computers; phones can struggle with very big ones since everything happens in memory.
Do my files get sent anywhere?
No. Your browser does the conversion with your device's own processor, so your files stay with you. Once the page has loaded you could even switch off your internet connection.
Where do I find the converted file on my Mac?
Click Download. You'll find the file in your Downloads folder (in Finder or on the Dock).
Need more options? Open the full TAR.GZ to ZIP tool →