How to convert 7Z to ZIP
- 1. Select the .7z fileClick Choose 7Z files or drop your archive onto the box. Add more than one if you need to.
- 2. Click ConvertThe archive is unpacked and repacked as a ZIP in your browser. It starts only when you click Convert.
- 3. Download your ZIPSave it with the Download button, or Download all (.zip) when you converted several archives.
What a 7z file is
A .7z file is an archive made with 7-Zip, a free, open-source archiver Igor Pavlov released in 1999. Its default LZMA compression often makes smaller archives than ZIP, which is why it's popular for software downloads, game mods and backups.
The catch is support. Windows has traditionally needed 7-Zip installed, and the Mac's built-in Archive Utility doesn't open .7z files. A ZIP holds the same files and opens almost everywhere.
| 7z | ZIP | |
|---|---|---|
| Created | 1999, Igor Pavlov (7-Zip) | 1989, Phil Katz (PKWARE) |
| Licence | Open source | Open, documented format |
| Default compression | LZMA/LZMA2, usually smaller | Deflate, usually larger |
| Opens on Mac without apps | No | Yes |
| Opens on iPhone and iPad | Not in the Files app | Yes |
| Opens on Windows | Recent Windows 11 updates; otherwise 7-Zip | Yes |
| Good for | Maximum compression | Sending files to anyone |
Opening 7z files on a Mac or Chromebook
On a Mac, convert the .7z here and double-click the ZIP. Archive Utility unpacks it next to the original, and you never need a third-party app.
On a Chromebook, desktop 7-Zip isn't available, and school or work devices often block installing extensions. Open this page in Chrome instead; the Files app opens the ZIP you get back.
The same works on an iPad or Android tablet: any up-to-date browser can run the converter.
Will anything be lost?
No. Both formats are lossless. Every file inside comes out byte-for-byte identical; only the container changes.
Expect the ZIP to be somewhat bigger than the .7z, because ZIP's compression is less aggressive than 7-Zip's LZMA. That's the price of an archive everyone can open.
Limits to know about
- Password-protected 7z archives aren't supported yet. If you know the password, use 7-Zip or another desktop archiver.
- Split archives (file.7z.001, file.7z.002 and so on) may not convert.
- Big archives are limited by your device's memory, because the work happens in the browser rather than on a server.
- Have a different archive? RAR files can be repacked as ZIP too, and an ordinary ZIP can be extracted right in the browser.
Frequently asked questions
Is my 7z archive uploaded?
No. It's unpacked and repacked on your device, inside your browser, and never uploaded. The page loads its own code, ads and cookieless analytics like any website, but the archive's contents stay on your device. Learn how to check this yourself.
How do I open a 7z file on a Mac?
macOS can't open .7z files with its built-in tools. Convert the file to ZIP on this page, then double-click the ZIP and Archive Utility extracts it.
How do I open a 7z file on a Chromebook?
Open this page in Chrome, choose the .7z file, click Convert and download the ZIP. Then open the ZIP from the Files app.
Do I need to install 7-Zip?
No. The conversion runs in your browser, so there's nothing to install on Mac, Chromebook, Windows or mobile.
Can I convert a password-protected 7z file?
Not yet. Encrypted 7z archives aren't supported, and the tool will say so if you add one.
Why is the ZIP larger than the 7z file?
7-Zip's LZMA compression is stronger than ZIP's. The files inside are the same; ZIP just doesn't squeeze them as hard.
Are file dates kept in the ZIP?
Yes, by default: each file keeps its modification date from the 7z archive. Set Metadata to Remove to give every file the same fixed date (1 January 1980), so the ZIP doesn't reveal when the files were made or changed. Archive comments are never copied.