---
title: ".cbz file — what it is and how to open it"
description: "A .cbz file is a Comic Book Archive (ZIP). A zip file full of page images, renamed so comic readers pick it up. How to open one on Windows, macOS and Linux, and what to convert it to."
url: https://atoneplace.net/file/cbz/
site: "At One Place"
---

# .cbz files

**.cbz file: Comic Book Archive (ZIP)**

A zip file full of page images, renamed so comic readers pick it up.

## What opens a .cbz file

- **Windows:** CDisplayEx, YACReader, Calibre, 7-Zip (to extract the pages)
- **macOS:** YACReader, Simple Comic, Calibre
- **Linux:** YACReader, MComix, Calibre

## What a .cbz file is

A CBZ is literally a ZIP archive of JPEG or PNG pages in alphabetical order, with the extension changed so comic readers open it in the right mode. Rename it to .zip and any unzip tool will extract the pages. Dedicated readers such as YACReader, CDisplayEx and Calibre add the two-page spreads and reading-position memory that make it worth using.

## Converting it

A .cbz file is commonly converted to .pdf, .cbr, .zip or .epub. It is a binary format, so a text editor will show unreadable characters rather than its contents.

## Details

- **Extension:** .cbz
- **Full name:** Comic Book Archive (ZIP)
- **Category:** E-books
- **MIME type:** application/vnd.comicbook+zip
- **Created by:** Community convention
- **Format:** Binary

## Common questions

### How do I open a .cbz file?

On Windows use CDisplayEx; on macOS use YACReader; on Linux use YACReader. A zip file full of page images, renamed so comic readers pick it up.

### What is a .cbz file?

Comic Book Archive (ZIP). A CBZ is literally a ZIP archive of JPEG or PNG pages in alphabetical order, with the extension changed so comic readers open it in the right mode. Rename it to .zip and any unzip tool will extract the pages.

### Can I convert a .cbz file?

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

## Related pages

- [.epub — Electronic Publication](https://atoneplace.net/file/epub/)
- [.mobi — Mobipocket Ebook](https://atoneplace.net/file/mobi/)
- [.azw3 — Kindle Format 8](https://atoneplace.net/file/azw3/)
- [.cbr — Comic Book Archive (RAR)](https://atoneplace.net/file/cbr/)
- [.djvu — DjVu Scanned Document](https://atoneplace.net/file/djvu/)

## Sources

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