What is a RAR file?
A RAR file contains one or more files that have been compressed into a smaller file using WinRAR software. The .rar file extension name stands for Roshal Archive, meaning a high-quality compressed file (also known as an archive) that can be encrypted and password protected.
Acting as a container for compressed data, RAR files reduce the overall size of files being shared, facilitating quicker data transfers, and conserving storage space. Unlike some other data compression methods, because .rar files are fully compatible with encryption-enabled password protection, they’re a popular format that balances efficiency with data security.
How to open a RAR file?
To open files ending in .rar you’ll probably need a special RAR file opener for extracting the data. Windows 11 now comes with native RAR support, but on other platforms and operating systems, you’ll need third-party software. If you’ve ever downloaded an app to unpack a ZIP file, the same software may be able to unzip RAR files too.
Here’s an overview of the most commonly used applications for opening RAR files:
WinZip
WinZip is a paid app for RAR and ZIP file management available on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. Download it from WinZip, the App Store, or Google Play.
WinRAR
WinRAR is a paid app for extracting and creating RAR files on Windows. The app comes with a free trial, and you can download it from WinRAR.
7-Zip
7-Zip is a free, open-source app with a high compression ratio and its own archive format called 7z. It’s available for Windows PCs and downloadable from 7-Zip.
iZip
iZip is a free app for ZIP and RAR file management that’s available for Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Windows PC. Download it from the App Store or iZip.
The Unarchiver
The Unarchiver is a free app for unpacking archived files on Mac. Download it from the App Store or The Unarchiver.
PeaZip
PeaZip is a free RAR extractor that runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows and supports both pre-RAR5 .rar files and newer formats. Download it directly from PeaZip.
How to open a RAR file on Windows
To open a RAR file on your PC, use an app like WinRAR that’s compatible with Windows 11, 10, 8, and 7, and can be downloaded and used for free during a trial period. WinRAR was created by the same developers who came up with the .rar file format, and you can also use it to create RAR files. The guidance below is specific to WinRAR, but the steps will be similar for any Windows .rar file extractor.
Here’s how to unpack a RAR file using WinRAR:
Your RAR file is now open, and all the files are available in the destination folder you selected. Or, you can open the files directly from the WinRAR window.
How to open a RAR file on Mac
We recommend The Unarchiver as a free app you can download from the App Store to open .rar formatted files on Mac. But there are several other free RAR openers available for Mac, and the process for installation, setup, and extractions should be very similar. Here’s how to unpack a RAR file using The Unarchiver:
Your RAR file has now been unpackaged. The files it contained are available in the destination folder you selected.
What are RAR files used for?
RAR files are used to transfer or store huge files, like when you download your data from Google or Facebook, or send gigabytes of data as image, audio, or video files. Compressing the files into a single RAR file lets you speed up transfer and download times.
