Archives & disk images · .7z
What Is a 7Z File?
A .7z file is a highly compressed open archive format from 7-Zip.
- Extension
- .7z
- Full name
- 7-Zip archive
- Type
- Archive
- MIME type
- application/x-7z-compressed
- Developed by
- Igor Pavlov (1999)
Free 7Z Tools
These run in your browser. Your 7Z files are never uploaded.
About 7Z Files
7z is the native format of 7-Zip, a free and open-source archiver. Its LZMA and LZMA2 compression usually makes smaller archives than ZIP or RAR, especially for software and text, at the cost of slower compression. It supports strong AES-256 encryption, including encrypting the file names. Windows 11 opens 7z files natively since 2023; other systems need a free app.
How to Open a 7Z File
- Windows
- Windows 11 opens it in File Explorer. Otherwise install 7-Zip.
- Mac
- Use The Unarchiver or Keka.
- iPhone & Android
- Use iZip on iPhone or ZArchiver on Android.
7Z File Questions
Is 7z better than ZIP?
It compresses better and has stronger encryption, but ZIP opens everywhere without installing anything.
Is 7-Zip safe and free?
Yes. Download it only from the official site, 7-zip.org.