A tarball is a single file that holds multiple files and folders bundled together, usually compressed to save space
A tarball is a file format that packages many files into one container, the way a physical tar barrel holds multiple items. The name comes from the tar tool (tape archive), which was originally designed to back up data to magnetic tape. When you see a file ending in .tar, .tar.gz, or .tgz, you are looking at a tarball.
Tarballs are common on Linux and Mac computers, less common on Windows. They serve the same basic purpose as a ZIP file on Windows — they let you send or store multiple files as one package. The main difference is that a tarball usually compresses the contents (making the file smaller), whereas a basic TAR file just bundles them without compression.
You might encounter a tarball when downloading software source code, backing up a folder, or receiving files from someone using a Mac or Linux system. Understanding what it is and how to open it means you can work with files from any operating system without confusion.
Key Takeaways
- A tarball is a container file that holds multiple files and folders in a single package, usually with a name ending in .tar.gz or .tgz.
- The .gz part means the contents are compressed using gzip, which reduces file size but requires decompression before you can use the files inside.
- On Mac and Linux, tarballs are native and open with built-in tools; on Windows, you need third-party software like 7-Zip or WinRAR.
- Tarballs preserve folder structure and file permissions, making them useful for backing up entire directory trees or sharing code projects.
How tarball file names work
The file extension tells you what is inside and how it is packed. A file named project.tar contains bundled files with no compression. A file named project.tar.gz or project.tgz contains bundled files that have been compressed with gzip, a standard compression tool.
Some older tarballs use .tar.bz2, which means the contents are compressed with bzip2 instead of gzip. Bzip2 compresses more tightly but takes longer. For most purposes, you will see .tar.gz or .tgz — they are the most common format.
The part before the extension is the name of the archive. If you read wordpress-6.4.tar.gz, that tarball probably contains a folder called wordpress-6.4 with all the WordPress files inside it.
Opening a tarball on different operating systems
On Mac: Double-click the tarball file. The built-in Archive Utility opens automatically and extracts the contents into the same folder. You will see a new folder or set of files appear.
On Linux: Open a terminal in the folder where the tarball sits. Type tar -xzf filename.tar.gz (replace filename with the actual name). The -x means extract, -z means decompress with gzip, and -f means read from a file. The contents appear in the same directory.
On Windows: Tarballs do not open with a double-click by default. You have three options: install free software like 7-Zip or WinRAR (both handle .tar.gz files), use Windows built-in tar command if you have Windows 10 or later (open Command Prompt and type the same command as Linux), or use Windows Subsystem for Linux if you work with tarballs regularly.
Why tarballs preserve what matters
When you compress files into a ZIP on Windows, some information can be lost — particularly file permissions and symbolic links (shortcuts within the file system). Tarballs preserve these details, which is why they are standard for sharing source code and system backups on Unix-based systems.
If a developer shares a tarball of a software project, the folder structure stays intact when you extract it. Executable files remain executable. Scripts keep their permissions. This matters less for sharing documents or photos, but it is critical for code and system administration.
Tarballs also handle very long file names and special characters better than older archive formats, making them reliable for international projects or complex directory trees.
When you might create a tarball yourself
You might create a tarball to back up a folder on Mac or Linux, to share a project with someone on a Unix system, or to prepare files for upload to a web server. On Mac, you can right-click a folder and choose "Compress" to create a tarball automatically. On Linux, the command tar -czf backup.tar.gz foldername creates a compressed tarball of that folder.
On Windows, if you have 7-Zip installed, you can right-click a folder, choose 7-Zip, then "Add to archive" and select tar.gz as the format. This is less common on Windows because ZIP is the standard, but it is useful if you are sending files to someone on a Mac or Linux system.
Tarball vs. ZIP: which one to use
If you are sharing files with other Windows users, ZIP is simpler — everyone has a built-in tool to open it. If you are sharing with Mac or Linux users, or if you need to preserve file permissions and folder structure exactly, tarball is the better choice. If you are downloading source code or software from a Linux project, you will usually receive a tarball whether you prefer it or not.
For personal backups on Mac or Linux, tarball is the standard. For cross-platform sharing where you do not know what the recipient uses, ZIP is safer because it works everywhere without extra software.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a tarball the same as a ZIP file?
Both bundle multiple files into one package, but they work differently. ZIP is Windows standard and does not preserve Unix file permissions. Tarball is Unix standard and does preserve them. ZIP opens with a double-click on Windows; tarball usually needs extra software on Windows.
Can I open a tarball on my phone?
On iPhone, you can use apps like Archive Utility or Transmit. On Android, apps like ZArchiver or RAR handle tarballs. It is easier on a computer, but mobile apps exist if you need to extract files on the go.
What if I extract a tarball and nothing happens?
Check that you used the correct extraction tool for your operating system. On Windows, make sure you have 7-Zip or WinRAR installed. On Mac, try dragging the tarball to Archive Utility directly. On Linux, check that you typed the tar command correctly and that the file name matches exactly.
Can a tarball be corrupted during read?
Yes. If the read was interrupted, the tarball may not extract properly. Try downloading again. Some sites provide a checksum (a string of letters and numbers) you can use to verify the file was downloaded completely and without errors.
Do I need to keep the tarball after I extract it?
No. Once extracted, you have the original files and folders. You can delete the tarball to save space. Keep it only if you want a backup copy of the exact package you downloaded.