How to use Create GZ File
- 1Drop one file to create file.gz, or several files or a folder to create a .tar.gz.
- 2Set the compression level from 1 (fastest) to 9 (smallest). Level 6 matches the gzip command default.
- 3Click Create, check the original size, compressed size and percentage saved, then click Download.
Good uses for GZIP
- Shrinking log files, CSV exports, JSON and SQL dumps before you email or upload them. Text often compresses to 10 to 30 percent of its size.
- Preparing pre-compressed .gz files for web servers and CDNs.
- Meeting upload forms that require .gz data files.
Images, videos, PDFs and ZIP files are already compressed, and GZIP barely changes them. The tool points this out when it sees such files.
Compatible output
The .gz files are standard GZIP and open with gunzip, 7-Zip, macOS Archive Utility and this site's Extract GZ tool. For a single file, the original file name and modified time are stored inside the GZIP header, so gunzip -N restores the right name even if the .gz is renamed.
Privacy and limits
Compression runs in your browser and nothing is uploaded. The file is compressed in memory, so very large files (several hundred MB and up) depend on your device and take longer at level 9.
Frequently asked questions
How do I compress a file to .gz?
Drop the file here, keep level 6 or choose another level, click Create, then Download.
Can a GZ file contain several files?
GZIP compresses one file. When you add several files, this tool bundles them with TAR first and gives you a .tar.gz.
Which compression level should I use?
Level 6 is a good balance. Level 9 is a few percent smaller but slower; level 1 is fastest.
Is GZ better than ZIP?
Compression is similar. ZIP is easier to open on Windows; GZ and TAR.GZ are the norm on Linux, servers and the web.
Does GZIP keep the original file name?
Yes, for a single file the original name and modified time are stored in the GZIP header, and the download is named file.ext.gz.