Open and extract ZIP files — no software needed
See what's inside any ZIP archive and download its files, straight from your browser. Nothing is uploaded.
Up to 1 GB. The archive is read on your device only.
Archive contents
| File | Size | Action |
|---|
How to extract a ZIP file online
1. Drop your archive. Drag the .zip file onto the area above or click to browse. ZipForge reads the archive's index instantly, even for archives containing hundreds of files.
2. Review the contents. Every file appears in a table with its full path and real size. This preview step matters: you can check what an attachment actually contains before saving anything to your device.
3. Download what you need. Grab a single file, or use Download all files to save everything. Downloads are generated locally from memory — there is no server round-trip, so even large files appear immediately.
When a browser-based extractor beats installed software
Windows and macOS can open ZIP files natively, so why use a web tool? Three common situations: you're on a work or school computer where installing utilities is blocked and the built-in handler is broken or restricted; you're on a phone or tablet, where ZIP handling is inconsistent across apps; or you simply want to peek inside an archive before committing to extracting 500 files onto your desktop.
Because ZipForge runs entirely client-side, it also works in environments where uploading company files to third-party servers would violate policy. The archive never leaves your machine — the same page keeps working if you go offline after loading it.
Need to go the other way?
If you want to bundle files into an archive instead, use our free ZIP creator. It uses the same private, on-device engine with adjustable compression levels.
Frequently asked questions
How do I open a ZIP file without installing software?
Drop the ZIP file onto this page. ZipForge reads the archive directly in your browser, lists every file inside it, and lets you download them individually or all at once. No installation, no account.
Is it safe to open an unknown ZIP file here?
Listing the contents is safe — ZipForge only reads the archive structure and lets you see what is inside before you download anything. As always, be careful about opening executable files from senders you don't trust.
Are password-protected ZIP files supported?
Not yet. Encrypted archives require the password-based ZIP crypto extensions, which are not currently supported. Standard unencrypted ZIP files, including those with folders, work fully.
Does extraction preserve folder structure?
The full folder path of every file is shown in the contents table so you can see the archive's structure. When you download a file, browsers save it by its file name; recreate folders on your device if you need the same hierarchy.
Is my ZIP file uploaded anywhere?
No. The archive is read and decompressed entirely on your device. You can load this page, go offline, and extraction still works.