Convert TAR to TAR.XZ Online Free

Add LZMA2 compression to your uncompressed TAR archive for the smallest possible file size. Powered by 7-Zip on our secure servers.

Quick Answer

ChangeThisFile compresses your uncompressed TAR archive with LZMA2 to create a TAR.XZ file using 7-Zip on our secure servers. XZ provides the best compression ratio among common formats, significantly reducing file size while preserving all files, permissions, and directory structure. Your file is encrypted during upload and auto-deleted after processing, completely free with no signup required.

Free No signup required Encrypted transfer · Auto-deleted Under 2 minutes Updated March 2026

Convert TAR to TAR.XZ

Drop your TAR file here to convert it instantly

Drag & drop your .tar file here, or click to browse

Convert to TAR.XZ instantly

TAR vs TAR.XZ: Format Comparison

Key differences between the two formats

Feature	TAR	TAR.XZ
Compression	None (uncompressed archive)	LZMA2 (best ratio)
File size	Sum of all files + overhead	Typically 70-90% smaller
Unix permissions	Full support	Full support (preserved by TAR layer)
Random access	Sequential only	Sequential only
Compression speed	N/A (no compression)	Slow (high CPU cost)
Decompression speed	Instant (just reading)	Fast (asymmetric design)
Integrity checks	None	CRC-64 and SHA-256
Best for	Bundling files without compression	Maximum compression, Linux packages

When to Convert

Common scenarios where this conversion is useful

Maximum compression

XZ's LZMA2 algorithm provides the best compression ratio among common formats. Compress your uncompressed TAR for the smallest possible archive size.

Linux package creation

TAR.XZ is the standard format for packages in Arch Linux, Fedora, and many other distributions. Compress TAR archives to TAR.XZ for proper package format compliance.

Long-term archival

When you need to store data for years and minimize storage costs, TAR.XZ offers the best compression-to-compatibility ratio with built-in integrity checks.

Who Uses This Conversion

Tailored guidance for different workflows

Developers

Convert TAR packages to TAR.XZ for compatibility with build tools or deployment pipelines
Transform TAR release archives to TAR.XZ for distribution to users on different operating systems

Verify that file permissions and symlinks are preserved when converting between TAR and TAR.XZ

Check the compressed TAR.XZ size to ensure the archive meets distribution size limits

System Administrators

Convert TAR backup archives to TAR.XZ for long-term storage or migration to a new system
Transform TAR log archives to TAR.XZ for tools that require a specific archive format

Test extracting the converted TAR.XZ archive to verify all files are intact and uncorrupted

Use checksums to verify data integrity after converting large TAR archives to TAR.XZ

IT Professionals

Convert TAR archives to TAR.XZ for sharing with clients or partners who need a specific format
Transform TAR compressed files to TAR.XZ when migrating data between Windows, macOS, and Linux

Consider the compression ratio: TAR.XZ may produce smaller or larger files than the TAR original

Ensure the recipient has software that can extract TAR.XZ before sending the converted archive

How to Convert TAR to TAR.XZ

1

Upload your TAR file

Drag and drop your .tar file onto the converter, or click to browse. Files up to 50 MB are supported for free.
2

Server-side compression

Your file is securely uploaded and compressed with LZMA2 on our servers using 7-Zip. All files and permissions inside the TAR are preserved. This typically takes a few seconds.
3

Download the result

Once compression is complete, click Download to save your .tar.xz file. The uploaded file is automatically deleted from our servers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the TAR to TAR.XZ conversion free?

Yes, completely free. Compress your TAR to TAR.XZ with no cost, no signup, and no watermarks.

Does this just add compression to the existing TAR?

Yes. The TAR archive is compressed as a whole with XZ (LZMA2). All files, directories, permissions, and ownership inside the TAR remain identical.

How does XZ compare to gzip and bzip2?

XZ (LZMA2) achieves the best compression ratio, typically 20-30% smaller than gzip and 5-15% smaller than bzip2. It compresses more slowly but decompresses quickly due to its asymmetric design.

Is my file kept on your servers?

No. Files are automatically deleted immediately after conversion. Nothing is stored or retained.

Is the transfer secure?

Yes. Files are transferred over encrypted HTTPS connections. Your data is protected in transit.

How much smaller will the file be?

It depends on the content. Text files compress 80-95% smaller. Binary files may compress 30-60%. On average, TAR.XZ archives are 70-90% smaller than uncompressed TAR.

Can I decompress TAR.XZ on any system?

Yes. On Linux and macOS, use tar xJf file.tar.xz. On Windows, 7-Zip, WinRAR, and PeaZip all support TAR.XZ.

What is the maximum file size?

Archives up to 50 MB are supported for free conversion.

Why is XZ compression slower than gzip?

LZMA2 uses a large dictionary and sophisticated matching algorithms to find the best compression opportunities. This extra analysis takes more CPU time but produces significantly smaller files.

Does TAR.XZ include integrity verification?

Yes. The XZ container includes CRC-64 checksums for data integrity verification, which the plain TAR format does not provide.

Related Conversions

Ready to convert your file?

Convert TAR to TAR.XZ instantly — free, no signup required.

Start Converting