LZO is lzop's ultra-fast compression format — designed for speed over ratio, common in embedded systems, kernel images and backup tooling.
Typical use: Unwrap LZO streams (frequently tar.lzo bundles) into zip or tar.
About the LZO format
LZO is compression with one obsession: speed. lzop's streams prioritize decompress-and-go over everything else, which is why the Linux kernel, OpenTunneling VPNs and embedded bootloaders reach for it when every millisecond counts.
lzop wraps its LZO stream in a small header (often around a tar), so unwrapping to a modern archive is the usual migration path — 7-Zip reads the format natively.
Strengths
- ✓ Extreme decompression speed
- ✓ Tiny code footprint — embedded favorite
- ✓ Kernel and VPN ecosystem standard
Limitations
- ✗ Weak compression ratios
- ✗ Fewer desktop tools than gzip/xz
- ✗ Multiple header variants complicate parsing
- Structure
- lzop header + LZO blocks
- Types / schema
- Binary stream
- Compatibility
- lzop, 7-Zip, Linux kernel
- Best for
- Speed-critical embedded pipelines
Convert LZO to…
12 direct directions, sorted A–Z; 🔥 marks popular targets.
Frequently asked questions
What is a LZO file?
LZO is lzop's ultra-fast compression format — designed for speed over ratio, common in embedded systems, kernel images and backup tooling.
How do I convert LZO files online?
Pick a target format from the "Convert LZO to…" list below, drop your file and hit convert. Everything runs in your browser — no install, no upload, no watermark, no limits.
Is it safe to convert LZO files here?
Yes. Every conversion is performed by your own device inside the browser — files never leave for a server, and the page keeps working even offline.
Which formats can LZO convert to?
This page lists all 12 directions across documents, images, audio, video, spreadsheets and archives — each one is its own free converter page.