TGZ to TAR Converter Online - Strip Compression from an Archive

Step 1

Drag files or click to select

Convert files online

Step 1

Drag files or click to select

Convert files online

When to convert TGZ to TAR

TGZ is a TAR archive with a gzip compression layer on top. Sometimes a clean TAR without compression is needed: for tools that only work with an uncompressed archive, for further processing of the contents, or to recompress with a different algorithm.

Converting TGZ to TAR means stripping the outer compression layer. The archive contents do not change: the same files, the same folders, the same names. The TAR structure, including UNIX file attributes, is fully preserved.

What changes after conversion

The main difference between TAR and TGZ is the absence of compression. TAR bundles files into a single container without reducing size. After conversion the archive will be noticeably larger than TGZ: for text data - several times larger; for media files - only slightly (they are already compressed by nature).

TAR fully preserves POSIX file attributes: permissions, owner, group, timestamps, symbolic and hard links. This matters for Linux environments, backups, and system files.

TAR archives are processed by a wide range of standard Linux and macOS tools without installing extra software.

When this is especially useful

Preparing an archive for a tool or pipeline that only accepts uncompressed TAR.
Stripping compression before recompressing with another algorithm (bzip2, xz).
Getting an archive with full UNIX attributes that does not lose anything when re-converted.
Passing an archive to a system where gzip is not available but tar is.
Working with archive contents using standard tar utilities.

Common tasks and search situations

Strip gzip compression from tar.gz online.
Get a TAR from a TGZ without extracting to a folder.
tar.gz to TAR for further processing.
Remove compression from a tarball.
Convert TGZ to an uncompressed archive.
TGZ to TAR for Linux scripts.
Turn tar.gz into tar online.

What to check before converting

Make sure there is enough disk space: TAR without compression will be significantly larger than TGZ.
If the archive is password-protected, the password is needed to access the contents.
Check that the original TGZ is not damaged - a damaged archive may not convert.
If you plan to repack TAR into another format, it is better to do this in one step without an intermediate TAR.

Format and conversion limits

TAR does not compress data. After conversion the archive will take up as much space as all the files inside combined, plus a small overhead for headers. For storage and transfer this is usually not convenient - TAR is better used as an intermediate step.

On Windows TAR opens through extra software (7-Zip, WinRAR) or through the built-in tar command on Windows 10 and newer. Without this, opening TAR on Windows is not possible.

Related tasks

For a compact archive that preserves UNIX attributes, see TGZ to TXZ: denser compression within the same TAR family. For moderate compression with wide compatibility, TGZ to TBZ2 is a good fit. If Windows compatibility without an archiver is important, use TGZ to ZIP.

What is TGZ to TAR conversion used for

Preparation for recompression

gzip is stripped so the archive can then be recompressed with another algorithm - for example, xz or bzip2, which give better results for certain tasks.

Working with UNIX pipelines

An uncompressed TAR is easier to pass between commands through a pipe and process with standard tar tools without needing to extract.

Backup with attribute preservation

TAR preserves full UNIX permissions, owner, and links - important when backing up config files and system directories.

Transfer to tools without gzip

Some embedded systems and minimal environments only work with clean TAR without external compression utilities.

Tips for converting TGZ to TAR

Free up disk space before converting

TAR without compression will be significantly larger than TGZ. For text data - several times larger. Make sure there is enough free space.

Use TAR as an intermediate step

Converting to TAR is convenient as an intermediate stage before recompressing with xz or bzip2, but not as the final format for storage or transfer.

Remember Windows users

TAR does not open in Windows Explorer with standard tools. If the archive is needed for Windows users without an archiver, ZIP is a better choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is TAR larger than TGZ?

TGZ is TAR with a compression layer. TAR without compression takes up as much space as all the files inside - the size returns to the original volume of the data. For text files the difference is significant; for already compressed media files it is small.

Will file permissions and owners be preserved?

Yes, fully. When converting TGZ to TAR the internal archive structure does not change. All POSIX attributes are preserved: owner, group, permissions, timestamps, symbolic and hard links.

Will the files inside the archive change?

No. Each file's contents stay the same. Only the outer compression layer is stripped; the data itself is not affected.

Can TAR be opened on Windows?

Yes, but an extra program or the built-in tar command on Windows 10 and newer is needed. 7-Zip and WinRAR open TAR without issues.

Why convert TGZ to TAR if the archive will get larger?

TAR is needed as an intermediate format: for passing to tools that only accept an uncompressed archive, for recompressing with a different algorithm, or for processing the contents with standard tar utilities.

What happens if the TGZ is damaged?

If the archive is damaged, extraction may stop at the problem file. Some contents may be recovered, some may not. Before converting important archives, verify their integrity.

Can several TGZ files be converted to TAR at once?

Yes, you can upload multiple files - each will be converted into a separate TAR.

TGZ to TAR Converter