Archives & disk images · .xz
What Is an XZ File?
A .xz file is a file compressed with high-ratio LZMA2 compression, often .tar.xz.
- Extension
- .xz
- Full name
- XZ compressed file
- Type
- Archive
- MIME type
- application/x-xz
- Developed by
- Lasse Collin and the Tukaani Project (2009)
Free XZ Tools
These run in your browser. Your XZ files are never uploaded.
About XZ Files
XZ uses the same LZMA2 compression as 7-Zip in a format designed for Unix systems. It compresses a single file and is typically paired with TAR to produce .tar.xz archives. XZ gives the smallest files of the common Unix compressors, so the Linux kernel, many distributions and software projects publish .tar.xz downloads. Decompressing is fast, but compressing at high settings is slow.
How to Open an XZ File
- Mac & Linux
- Double-click it, or run tar -xJf file.tar.xz.
- Windows
- Use 7-Zip, or tar -xJf in Command Prompt on Windows 11.
XZ File Questions
Is XZ the same as 7z?
They use the same compression, but XZ is a simpler format for single files, used mostly on Linux.
How do I open a .tar.xz file?
Double-click it on a Mac or Linux, or use 7-Zip on Windows.