Archives · File type

What is a .rar file?

A .rar file is a compressed archive created with WinRAR, a proprietary format by Eugene Roshal. It is common for large downloads split into volumes, game mods and older file-sharing, and supports strong encryption and built-in recovery records.

Key facts

Two main versions exist: RAR4 and RAR5 (introduced with WinRAR 5.0 in 2013), which uses AES-256 and larger dictionaries.
MIME type is application/vnd.rar (application/x-rar-compressed on older systems).
Large archives are split into volumes named part1.rar, part2.rar and so on, or .rar, .r00, .r01 in the older scheme.
Only WinRAR and RAR can create RAR files; free tools such as 7-Zip and unar can extract them but not create them.
An optional recovery record adds redundant data that lets WinRAR repair limited damage.

How to open a .rar file

Windows

Windows 11 (23H2 and later) opens RAR files in File Explorer. On any version, 7-Zip or WinRAR extracts them, including multi-part and encrypted archives.

macOS

macOS has no built-in RAR support, so install The Unarchiver or Keka (both free) and double-click the file.

Linux

Install unar and run unar archive.rar, or use unrar x archive.rar from your distribution's non-free repository.

Common problems and fixes

"CRC failed" or "The archive is corrupt": Part of the file is damaged, often from an incomplete download. Re-download it; if the archive has a recovery record, use Tools > Repair archive in WinRAR.
"You need to have the following volume to continue extraction": One of the multi-part volumes is missing or named differently. Put every part in the same folder with its original name, then open part1.rar.
Wrong password or the archive asks for a password you do not have: RAR5 uses AES-256, so a forgotten password cannot practically be recovered. Ask the sender for it, and check for typos and keyboard layout.
Old extractor says "unknown method" or cannot open the file: The archive is RAR5 and your tool only understands RAR4. Update to a current 7-Zip, WinRAR, unar or unrar.

Often converted to or from: ZIP, 7Z, TAR.GZ

File2fix tools for .rar files

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Frequently asked questions

Is there a free way to open RAR files?

Yes. 7-Zip on Windows, The Unarchiver or Keka on macOS, and unar on Linux all extract RAR archives for free, and Windows 11 can open them natively.

Can I create a RAR file without WinRAR?

No, the RAR compression algorithm is licensed only to WinRAR and the rar command-line tool. Use ZIP or 7Z instead if you need a free, open format.

How do I convert a RAR file to ZIP?

Extract the RAR with 7-Zip or The Unarchiver, then compress the extracted folder as a ZIP. There is no lossless direct conversion because the formats store data differently.