1 What Is a .tar.gz File?

Why are there two extensions?

A .tar.gz file (sometimes written as .tgz) is actually two things in one. The .tar part bundles multiple files into a single file (like putting papers in an envelope). The .gz part compresses it to make it smaller (like vacuum-sealing the envelope).

This format is extremely common in Linux/Unix software and open-source projects. You might also see .tar.bz2 or .tar.xz — they work the same way, just with different compression methods.

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Other names for the same thing: .tgz, .tar.gz, "tarball," "gzipped tar." They all refer to the same type of file.

2 How to Extract

Choose your operating system.

Using 7-Zip (Free)

Windows doesn't natively handle .tar.gz files (though very recent Windows 11 builds are adding support). 7-Zip is your best bet.

1

Right-click the .tar.gz file → 7-Zip → "Extract Here"

This extracts the outer .gz compression, leaving you with a .tar file.

2

Right-click the .tar file → 7-Zip → "Extract Here" again

This unpacks the inner .tar archive, giving you the actual files. Yes, it's a two-step process — that's just how this format works.

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Shortcut: 7-Zip can sometimes do both steps at once. Try right-clicking → 7-Zip → "Extract to [folder name]" and it may extract everything in one go.

Built-In (No Install Needed)

Great news — macOS handles .tar.gz files natively!

1

Just double-click the file

The built-in Archive Utility extracts it automatically. Both layers (the .gz compression and the .tar bundle) are handled in one step.

2

Find your files

The extracted folder appears in the same location as the original .tar.gz file.