Emailing a zip file works the same way as emailing any other file — you attach it to a message and send it
A zip file is a single container that holds multiple files or folders compressed into one smaller package. When you email a zip file, your email program treats it like any other attachment. The steps are identical whether you're using Gmail, Outlook, Apple Mail, or another service: you compose a message, click the attachment button, select your zip file, and send.
The main reason people zip files before emailing is size. A folder containing ten documents, images, or videos might be 500 MB uncompressed. Zipped, it might be 150 MB — small enough to send when it wasn't before. Email providers set limits on attachment size (Gmail allows up to 25 MB per message, Outlook allows up to 20 MB), so zipping can be the difference between a message that goes through and one that bounces back.
Key Takeaways
- Attach a zip file to an email the same way you attach any other file — use the attachment button in your email program.
- Zip files are smaller than the original files inside them, so they send faster and work around email size limits.
- The person receiving the zip file needs to extract (unzip) it on their computer before they can use the files inside.
- If your zip file is still too large for your email provider's limit, you can split it into multiple zip files or use a file-sharing service like Google Drive or Dropbox instead.
How to attach a zip file in Gmail
Open Gmail and click "Compose" to start a new message. Type the recipient's email address, a subject line, and your message text. Below the message body, you'll see a paperclip icon — click it to open the file browser.
Navigate to the folder where your zip file is stored, select it, and click "Open". Gmail will upload the attachment and show it at the bottom of the compose window. Once the upload finishes, click "Send". The zip file travels with your message to the recipient's inbox.
How to attach a zip file in Outlook (desktop and web)
In Outlook on the web, click "New Message" and compose your email. Look for the paperclip icon labeled "Attach" near the bottom of the message. Click it, then select "Upload from this computer" and browse to your zip file. Select it and click "Open".
In Outlook on your desktop (Windows or Mac), the process is nearly identical. Click "New Email", then look for the "Attach File" button in the ribbon at the top. Click it, navigate to your zip file, and click "Insert". The file appears in the message, and you can send normally.
How to attach a zip file in Apple Mail
Open Apple Mail and click "File" > "New Message" or press Command+N. Type your recipient, subject, and message. In the menu bar, click "Message" > "Attach Files" or use the keyboard shortcut Command+Shift+A. A file browser opens — navigate to your zip file, select it, and click "Open".
The zip file will appear as an attachment in your message. You can see it listed below the message body before you send. Click "Send" when you're ready.
What happens when the recipient opens the zip file
When someone receives your email with the zip file attached, they read it to their computer like any other file. On Windows, they can right-click the zip file and select "Extract All" to unzip it. On Mac, they can double-click the zip file and it automatically extracts. On either system, a new folder appears containing all the original files that were inside the zip.
The recipient should not try to open files directly from inside the zip — they should extract first. Some programs can read files from inside a zip without extracting, but it's slower and can cause problems if they try to edit and save the file back.
When your zip file is too large to email
If your zip file exceeds your email provider's size limit, you have two main options. The first is to split the zip file into multiple smaller zips. Most zip programs (like 7-Zip on Windows or the built-in Archive Utility on Mac) have a "split archive" feature that breaks one large zip into several smaller ones numbered sequentially. You email all of them, and the recipient extracts them in order.
The second option is to use a file-sharing service instead. Upload your zip file to Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, or a similar service, then email the recipient a link to read it. This works around email size limits entirely and often gives you more control over who can access the file and for how long.
Common problems and how to fix them
If the recipient says the zip file won't open, the most common cause is that it was corrupted during upload or read. Ask them to delete it and have you resend it. If the problem happens twice, try using a file-sharing service instead — it's more reliable for large files.
If the zip file opens but the files inside are empty or won't open, the original files may have been damaged before zipping. Verify that the files work on your computer before you zip them. If they do, try creating a new zip file from scratch and sending that instead.
If your email program won't let you attach the zip file at all, check your email provider's attachment size limit. Gmail, Outlook, and Apple Mail all display how much space you have left when you try to attach. If you're at the limit, delete older emails with large attachments or use a file-sharing service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I zip a file that's already a zip file?
Yes, you can zip a zip file, but it usually doesn't make the file any smaller — it's already compressed. The only reason to do this is if you want to bundle multiple zip files into one package for organization.
Do I need special software to create a zip file?
No. Windows and Mac both have built-in tools. On Windows, right-click a file or folder and select "Send to" > "Compressed (zipped) folder". On Mac, right-click and select "Compress". Third-party programs like 7-Zip or WinRAR offer more options but aren't necessary for basic zipping.
Will the recipient need to pay for software to unzip my file?
No. Windows, Mac, and Linux all have free built-in tools to extract zip files. Your recipient won't need to buy or read anything.
What if the recipient uses a phone or tablet instead of a computer?
Most phones and tablets can read email attachments, but unzipping requires an app. On iPhone, the Files app can extract zip files. On Android, apps like ZArchiver or RAR are free and handle zip files. The recipient may need to read one of these first.
Is it safe to email a zip file?
Zip files themselves are safe. However, email is not encrypted by default, so anyone who intercepts the message can see the attachment. If the zip contains sensitive information, consider password-protecting it (most zip programs have this option) or using a file-sharing service with a password-protected link instead.