The .Z extension is Unix `compress` output — the LZW compressor that predates gzip and still appears on ancient tape dumps and Usenet archives.
Typical use: Unwrap .Z streams (often tar.Z bundles) into modern archives.
About the Z format
The .Z extension belongs to Unix `compress`, the LZW packer that ruled Unix systems from 1984 until gzip's patents-free arrival in 1992. Decades of Usenet posts, tape dumps and man-page distributions were shipped as file.tar.Z or file.txt.Z.
The format is simple enough that 7-Zip decompresses it natively; tar.Z bundles unwrap into a full tar you can repurpose into any modern archive.
Strengths
- ✓ Universally understood by Unix tooling
- ✓ Simple LZW — no patent baggage today
- ✓ Still required by some mainframe pipelines
Limitations
- ✗ Superseded by gzip on ratio and speed
- ✗ Patent history made it fall out of favor
- ✗ No integrity checksum
- Structure
- 0x1F 0x9D magic + LZW stream
- Types / schema
- Binary stream (often tar inside)
- Compatibility
- compress, uncompress, 7-Zip, gzip -d
- Best for
- Legacy Unix archives
Convert Z to…
12 direct directions, sorted A–Z; 🔥 marks popular targets.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Z file?
The .Z extension is Unix `compress` output — the LZW compressor that predates gzip and still appears on ancient tape dumps and Usenet archives.
How do I convert Z files online?
Pick a target format from the "Convert Z 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 Z 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 Z convert to?
This page lists all 12 directions across documents, images, audio, video, spreadsheets and archives — each one is its own free converter page.