Convert RAR to TAR
Free, fast and secure — convert RAR to TAR right in your browser.
Convert RAR to TAR for wider compatibility
Converting RAR to TAR gives you a more widely supported file that opens cleanly across more devices, apps and platforms — handy when RAR will not play nicely everywhere.
How to convert RAR to TAR
- 1 Drop your RAR file into the converter above.
- 2 It is converted to TAR automatically — no settings to fiddle with.
- 3 Download your new TAR file instantly.
RAR vs TAR
| Feature | RAR | TAR |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | Lossless | Lossless |
| MIME type | application/vnd.rar | application/x-tar |
| Best for | Opening RAR downloads — converted to ZIP or 7z so anyone can extract them freely. | Bundling files on Linux and macOS, ready to be compressed as a .tar.gz or .tar.bz2. |
About the formats
RAR archive
RAR is a proprietary archive format known for strong compression and reliable recovery records. It is easy to open everywhere but can only be created with WinRAR, so it is best converted to ZIP or 7z for sharing.
Strengths
- Strong compression
- Recovery records resist corruption
- Splits neatly into multi-part volumes
Limitations
- Proprietary — needs WinRAR to create
- Not freely redistributable
- Less universal than ZIP
Best for: Opening RAR downloads — converted to ZIP or 7z so anyone can extract them freely.
TAR archive
TAR (tape archive) bundles many files into a single uncompressed stream, preserving Unix permissions and structure. It is the backbone of Linux and macOS packaging, usually paired with gzip or bzip2 compression.
Strengths
- Preserves Unix permissions and symlinks
- Universal on Linux and macOS
- Ideal base for compressed tarballs
Limitations
- No compression on its own
- Not native to Windows
- No random access to members
Best for: Bundling files on Linux and macOS, ready to be compressed as a .tar.gz or .tar.bz2.