---
title: ".7z file — what it is and how to open it"
description: "A .7z file is a 7-Zip Archive. The open, high-compression archive format from 7-Zip, with proper AES-256 encryption. How to open one on Windows, macOS and Linux, and what to convert it to."
url: https://atoneplace.net/file/7z/
site: "At One Place"
---

# .7z files

**.7z file: 7-Zip Archive**

The open, high-compression archive format from 7-Zip, with proper AES-256 encryption.

## What opens a .7z file

- **Windows:** 7-Zip, File Explorer (built in, Windows 11, unencrypted only), WinRAR
- **macOS:** Keka, The Unarchiver, BetterZip
- **Linux:** Archive Manager / File Roller (built in), Ark, p7zip

## What a .7z file is

7z uses LZMA compression and routinely produces smaller files than ZIP or RAR, with AES-256 encryption that can also hide the file names. The format and the 7-Zip tool are free and open source. Windows 11 File Explorer extracts unencrypted 7z archives natively; password-protected ones still need 7-Zip, Keka or a similar tool because Explorer has nowhere to type the password.

## Converting it

A .7z file is commonly converted to .zip, .rar, .tar or .gz. It is a binary format, so a text editor will show unreadable characters rather than its contents.

## Details

- **Extension:** .7z
- **Full name:** 7-Zip Archive
- **Category:** Archives
- **MIME type:** application/x-7z-compressed
- **Created by:** Igor Pavlov
- **Format:** Binary

## Common questions

### How do I open a .7z file?

On Windows use 7-Zip; on macOS use Keka; on Linux use Archive Manager / File Roller (built in). The open, high-compression archive format from 7-Zip, with proper AES-256 encryption.

### What is a .7z file?

7-Zip Archive. 7z uses LZMA compression and routinely produces smaller files than ZIP or RAR, with AES-256 encryption that can also hide the file names. The format and the 7-Zip tool are free and open source.

### Can I convert a .7z file?

Yes. It is usually converted to .zip, .rar, .tar or .gz, either by exporting from one of the programs listed above or with a format converter.

## Related pages

- [.zip — ZIP Archive](https://atoneplace.net/file/zip/)
- [.rar — RAR Archive](https://atoneplace.net/file/rar/)
- [.gz — Gzip Compressed File](https://atoneplace.net/file/gz/)
- [.tar — Tape Archive](https://atoneplace.net/file/tar/)
- [.tgz — Gzipped Tar Archive](https://atoneplace.net/file/tgz/)
- [.xz — XZ Compressed File](https://atoneplace.net/file/xz/)
- [.bz2 — Bzip2 Compressed File](https://atoneplace.net/file/bz2/)
- [.sfx — Self-Extracting Archive Module](https://atoneplace.net/file/sfx/)

## Sources

- Media Types Registry — IANA (https://www.iana.org/assignments/media-types/)
- Official vendor product documentation — At One Place (/about/)