Can GZ compress multiple files at once?

No, gzip compresses exactly one file or stream, which is why folders travel as .tar.gz: TAR joins the files, gzip shrinks the result. ZIP is the format that combines archiving and compression in a single step.

How does gzip compression compare to ZIP?

Both use the same DEFLATE algorithm, so ratios are nearly identical, with text typically shrinking 60-80%. If you want meaningfully smaller archives, 7Z or XZ compress a further 20-30% at the cost of speed.

Where do GZ files usually come from?

Mostly from the server world: Linux packages, database dumps, website backups, and rotated log files are gzipped by convention. Web servers also gzip pages on the fly, using the same algorithm to speed up page loads.

Convert to GZ – Free GZ Converter

Convert to GZ

Compress and convert archives between ZIP, RAR, 7Z, TAR, and more formats.
Extract, compress, and convert with adjustable compression levels.

Free tier: 5 conversions/day, files up to 50 MB, ad-supported. Need more? See Pro plans →

256-bit SSL encryptionYour files are protected end-to-end

Lightning-fast conversionsProcess files in seconds, not minutes

All major archive formatsZIP, RAR, 7Z, TAR & more

No registration requiredStart instantly — 5 free conversions a day

Files auto-deleted in 1 hourGDPR-friendly: we never keep your files

GZ (gzip) is the standard compression format in the Unix world, offering fast compression and decompression with good ratios. Combined with TAR as .tar.gz (or .tgz), it's the most common format for Linux software distribution.

Convert to GZ – Free Online GZ Converter

About the Gzip Compressed (GZ) Format

DEFLATE compression algorithm. Single-file compression (use with TAR for multiple files). Streaming compression support.

Common Use Cases for GZ

Linux software packages
Web content compression
Log file compression
Unix administration

Pros of GZ

Fast compression
Standard on Unix
Good ratio
Streaming support

Cons of GZ

Single file only
Requires TAR for multiple files
Not as small as 7z

How to convert files to GZ

Upload your file using the area above.
Select GZ as the target format.
Click Start and wait for the conversion to finish.
Download your converted GZ file.