---
title: ".xz file — what it is and how to open it"
description: "A .xz file is a XZ Compressed File. LZMA2 compression — the tightest of the common Unix single-file compressors. How to open one on Windows, macOS and Linux, and what to convert it to."
url: https://atoneplace.net/file/xz/
site: "At One Place"
---

# .xz files

**.xz file: XZ Compressed File**

LZMA2 compression — the tightest of the common Unix single-file compressors.

## What opens a .xz file

- **Windows:** File Explorer (built in, Windows 11), 7-Zip, PeaZip
- **macOS:** Keka, The Unarchiver, xz (Terminal)
- **Linux:** Archive Manager / File Roller (built in), Ark, xz

## What a .xz file is

XZ wraps the same LZMA2 algorithm 7-Zip uses, and it has become the default for Linux kernel and distribution source tarballs because it compresses best. Like gzip and bzip2 it handles one file, so .tar.xz is the usual pairing. Windows 11 extracts it natively now; older Windows needs 7-Zip.

## Converting it

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

## Details

- **Extension:** .xz
- **Full name:** XZ Compressed File
- **Category:** Archives
- **MIME type:** application/x-xz
- **Created by:** Tukaani Project
- **Format:** Binary

## Common questions

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

On Windows use File Explorer (built in, Windows 11); on macOS use Keka; on Linux use Archive Manager / File Roller (built in). LZMA2 compression — the tightest of the common Unix single-file compressors.

### What is a .xz file?

XZ Compressed File. XZ wraps the same LZMA2 algorithm 7-Zip uses, and it has become the default for Linux kernel and distribution source tarballs because it compresses best. Like gzip and bzip2 it handles one file, so .tar.xz is the usual pairing.

### Can I convert a .xz file?

Yes. It is usually converted to .zip, .7z, .gz or .tar, 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/)
- [.7z — 7-Zip Archive](https://atoneplace.net/file/7z/)
- [.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/)
- [.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/)