Unzip files online
FileReshape's Unzip tool opens a ZIP file in your browser, lists every file and folder inside, and lets you extract a single file or all of them, into a folder (Chrome and Edge) or as separate downloads. The ZIP is not uploaded. Password-protected ZIPs open when you know the password; split ZIPs (.z01, .z02) must be joined first, and separate downloads do not keep folders.
Did a file not convert correctly? E-mail [email protected], ideally with a small sample file, and it will be fixed.
Key facts
- Works with: ZIP (.zip).
- Your files are not uploaded: the work is done in your browser, on your own device.
- File size: RAR and 7Z archives up to 1.5 GB; a ZIP you create holds up to 4 GB.
- Needs a current browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari) on a computer, tablet or phone; nothing to install.
- Free to use, with no sign-up.
Why unzip a file in the browser
A ZIP file arrives as an email attachment, a download from a client portal or a backup from an old computer, and you only want to see what is inside or get one document out of it. This tool opens the ZIP straight in your browser tab and lists every file with its folder and size. Click Download next to a file to save just that one, or extract everything at once. In Chrome and Edge the files can go straight into a folder you choose, with the archive's subfolders kept as they are. The ZIP is read in pieces from your own disk, so even large archives open quickly, and nothing is sent to a server: contracts, payslips and photos stay on your device. It also helps on a work computer where you cannot install 7-Zip or WinRAR, and on Chromebooks.
How to unzip a file online
- Drop the .zip file in the box, or click to choose it.
- Look through the list of files; click Download next to a file to save only that one.
- To get everything, choose how to save the files and click Extract all files.
What to know about opening ZIP files
Passwords
A ZIP protected with a password shows its file names, but the contents are encrypted. Enter the password and the files are decrypted in your browser; both the old ZipCrypto method and AES-256 work. Without the password nobody can open the files, and this tool does not try to guess it.
Folders and separate downloads
Saving into a folder keeps the archive's subfolders and works in Chrome and Edge on a computer. Firefox and Safari can only save files one at a time as normal downloads, which puts them all in your Downloads folder without subfolders, and the browser may ask once whether the site may download several files.
Files from a Mac
ZIPs made on a Mac often contain a __MACOSX folder and .DS_Store files. They hold Finder information, not your data, so the tool leaves them out of the list and the extraction and says how many it skipped.
Split and damaged ZIPs
The list of files is stored at the end of a ZIP. If a download stopped early, that list is missing and the ZIP cannot be opened; download it again. A split archive (.z01, .z02 … plus .zip) has to be joined with 7-Zip or "zip -s 0" before it can be opened here. Every extracted file is checked against the checksum stored in the ZIP, so a damaged file is reported instead of being saved.
Safe file names
A ZIP can contain names with "..", absolute paths or characters Windows does not allow. They are cleaned up before anything is written, so no file can end up outside the folder you chose.
About the formats
ZIP
ZIP is the most widely used archive format. Phil Katz published it with PKZIP in 1989, and Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android can all open ZIP files without extra software. One ZIP file holds many files and folders, each compressed on its own, which is why it is used for email attachments, downloads and backups.
- Each file is compressed separately, usually with Deflate, so one file can be taken out without unpacking the rest.
- The list of files sits at the end of the ZIP, so an interrupted download cannot be opened.
- A password can protect the contents with ZipCrypto (weak) or AES-256, but the file names stay readable.
- Without the ZIP64 extension a ZIP holds at most 65,535 files and 4 GB.
- Word, Excel and PowerPoint files (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx), EPUB e-books and Android apps are ZIP files inside.
Frequently asked questions
Is my ZIP file uploaded?
No. The ZIP is opened by your browser on your own computer or phone, and the extracted files are saved straight from there. Nothing is sent to FileReshape or anyone else.
Can I open a RAR or 7z file here?
Yes. If you drop a RAR, 7z or TAR file, the tool opens it with its archive reader. The RAR extractor and 7z extractor pages explain the limits of those formats.
How large can the ZIP be?
The archive itself can be several gigabytes, because it is read in pieces. Each file inside has to fit in the browser's memory when it is extracted, which works for files up to about 2 GB on a computer.
Can I unzip on an iPhone or Android phone?
Yes. Single files and separate downloads work in mobile browsers. The iPhone Files app and many Android file managers can also unzip on their own.