RAR to ZIP
RAR to ZIP Converter Software
A 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.
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, conversion is always extract-then-recompress under the hood. What a dedicated converter tool adds is convenience: it automates both steps, and can do it for many files at once instead of one at a time.
WinRAR's Convert archives feature
WinRAR includes a Convert archives command (found under its Commands/Tools menu when one or more archives are selected) that lets you re-save opened archives in a different format and settings, including batch conversion of multiple files at once. Note that WinRAR's own re-save conversion is built around the RAR/ZIP formats WinRAR itself handles; check WinRAR's current documentation for the exact menu wording in your installed version, since dialog names can shift between releases. WinRAR is commercial software distributed as an unlimited-time evaluation — see the official WinRAR download (external) and WinRAR license for details.
The 7-Zip route (free)
- 1Extract the RARRight-click the
.rarfile and choose 7-Zip → Extract Here or Extract to folder. - 2Select the extracted filesSelect the files or the top-level extracted folder.
- 3Compress to ZIPRight-click → 7-Zip → Add to archive..., set Archive format to zip, then click OK.
7-Zip is free and open source, and this two-step process works reliably; it just isn't automated into one button the way WinRAR's convert feature is.
Batch conversion
For converting many RAR files at once, select all of them before choosing the convert or extract command; both WinRAR and 7-Zip can queue multiple archives in sequence. Command-line scripting, covered on RAR to ZIP on Windows and RAR to ZIP on Mac, is a more reliable option for very large batches.
Comparison
| Tool | Cost | Batch conversion | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| WinRAR | Paid after evaluation | Yes, via Convert archives | Also creates RAR archives |
| 7-Zip | Free | Manual, two steps per batch | Cannot create RAR, only extract it |
| Command line (unrar/7z + zip) | Free | Fully scriptable | Best for automation, no GUI |
What is preserved
- Folder structure inside the archive, in nearly all cases.
- File modification timestamps, in most tools, though it's worth verifying on files where this matters.
- File names, including Unicode characters, in current versions of these tools.
- Passwords are not preserved automatically — see password-protected RAR files if the original RAR was encrypted.
Download and try it yourself
Install the archive tool and apply the steps from this guide on your own files.
Frequently asked questions
Does WinRAR's Convert archives feature cost anything extra?
No, it's part of WinRAR itself, which is available as an unlimited-time evaluation and paid software for continued use.
Can 7-Zip create RAR files?
No. 7-Zip can extract RAR archives but cannot create them, since RAR is a proprietary format only RARLAB's own tools produce.
Will batch converting change my folder structure?
Generally no, both WinRAR and 7-Zip preserve the internal folder layout when converting formats.
Is there a way to convert RAR to ZIP from the command line?
Yes — see [RAR to ZIP on Windows](/rar-to-zip/windows) for a PowerShell example and [RAR to ZIP on Mac](/rar-to-zip/mac) for the macOS terminal equivalent.
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.
- WinRAR vs 7-ZipWinRAR and 7-Zip are the two archive tools people ask about most on Windows. Here is how they actually differ, feature by feature.
- 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.
- Converting RAR to ZIP OnlineOnline converters trade convenience for privacy: your file leaves your device and is processed on someone else's server.
WinRAR is a trademark of its respective owner. RareExplorer is an independent resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by RARLAB or win.rar GmbH. Read our editorial policy to see how this page was researched.