RAR to ZIP
How to Convert RAR to ZIP
If you just need one RAR file turned into a ZIP as quickly as possible, here is the shortest path for your platform.
Get an archive tool for your computer
Download the installer and start opening RAR, ZIP and 7z archives in a few minutes.
As explained on RAR to ZIP, every conversion method extracts the RAR first and then compresses the result into a ZIP. There's no shortcut around that, but the process only takes a couple of minutes with the right tool.
Windows
- 1Get a RAR-capable extractorInstall 7-Zip (free) if you don't already have WinRAR or another extractor.
- 2Extract the RAR fileRight-click it and choose your extractor's Extract Here option.
- 3Compress the extracted filesSelect the extracted files, right-click, then use Compress to ZIP file (Windows 11) or Send to → Compressed (zipped) folder (Windows 10).
macOS
- 1Get a RAR-capable extractorArchive Utility can't open RAR, so install a tool like The Unarchiver or Keka.
- 2Extract the RAR fileOpen the
.rarwith your extractor, or use its Extract command. - 3Compress with FinderSelect the extracted files, right-click, then choose Compress.
Verify the conversion
- Compare the number of files and total size roughly against the original RAR's contents.
- Open a sample of the extracted files to confirm they aren't corrupted or truncated.
- If the RAR was password-protected, remember the new ZIP has no password unless you add one with a third-party tool.
Batch tip
Converting several RAR files at once is faster with a dedicated tool rather than repeating these steps manually — see RAR to ZIP converter for WinRAR's batch Convert archives feature and command-line scripting options.
If something goes wrong
- RAR file won't open at all: check RAR file not opening.
- Extraction produces errors partway through: see corrupted RAR file.
- General extraction errors during the first step: see RAR extraction error.
- Need platform-specific detail: see RAR to ZIP on Windows or RAR to ZIP on Mac.
Download and try it yourself
Install the archive tool and apply the steps from this guide on your own files.
Frequently asked questions
What's the fastest way to convert a single RAR file to ZIP?
Extract it with a free tool like 7-Zip, then use your operating system's built-in Compress to ZIP feature — no paid software required.
Do I lose anything by converting RAR to ZIP?
The files themselves stay intact, but RAR-specific features like recovery records and any original password aren't carried over automatically.
Can I convert back from ZIP to RAR later?
Yes, using the reverse process — extract the ZIP, then compress the files as RAR with a tool like WinRAR, since only RARLAB's tools create RAR files.
Why won't my RAR file extract before I can convert it?
Common causes include missing volumes in a multi-part set, an incorrect password, or a corrupted download — see [RAR extraction error](/rar-extraction-error) for diagnostics.
Related guides
- RAR to ZIP: How Archive Conversion WorksThere's no way to change a RAR file directly into a ZIP file byte-for-byte. Every method works the same way underneath: extract the RAR, then compress the result as a ZIP.
- RAR to ZIP Converter SoftwareA few desktop archive programs can turn a batch of RAR files into ZIP files in a couple of clicks, without you manually extracting and recompressing each one.
- Convert RAR to ZIP on WindowsOn Windows, converting RAR to ZIP takes two built-in-friendly steps: extract with a RAR-capable tool, then compress the result with Explorer's own ZIP feature.
- Convert RAR to ZIP on MacmacOS's built-in Archive Utility can't open RAR files at all, so converting one to ZIP starts with a third-party extractor.
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