TAR Extractor • Online • Free

TAR Archive Extractor

Explore TAR archives and extract just the directories you need

Drop your TAR archive here

We extract everything directly in your browser. For multipart archives, select all parts.

Our extractor understands complex directory structures and lets you download subsets in seconds.

Example Archive

Archive Name

source-code.tar

Typical Usage

Source distribution

Why teams choose this tool

  • 100% client-side extraction powered by WebAssembly
  • Preview directories before downloading large payloads
  • Password prompts appear only when encryption is detected
  • Works offline once the extractor is loaded

Workflow

  1. Drop your archive into the page or use the file picker.
  2. Warm up the extraction engines for large or encrypted archives.
  3. Preview folders, select what you need, and download instantly.

Format quick facts

TAR archives are a Unix staple used to bundle files without compression. They often appear alongside gzip or bzip2 for packaging.

Supported extensions: .tar

Best for

  • Reviewing release packages before pushing to production
  • Grabbing a single folder from a massive archive
  • Auditing logs and backups without unzipping locally
  • Helping non-technical teammates access individual files

Pitfalls to watch

  • Large archives can consume browser memory—close other heavy tabs if you hit limits.
  • Encrypted archives still require the original passphrase.
  • Nested archives must be downloaded and reopened individually.

Common questions

Can I preview files inside a TAR archive?

Yes. The extractor renders a browsable file tree so you can inspect folders and download individual files before exporting everything.

Does this support password-protected TAR archives?

When encryption is detected, you'll be prompted for the password and the archive will be decrypted entirely in your browser.

Extract TAR archives securely

Run everything inside your browser so sensitive files never leave your device. Download only what you need and keep workflows fast.