RAR is a proprietary archive format that typically compresses 10–30% better than ZIP, with support for solid archives, recovery records, and multi-part splitting.
Use caution
Type Archive
By Eugene Roshal / RARLAB
MIMEapplication/x-rar-compressed
Drop any file to identify it
We read file headers, not extensions. Nothing gets uploaded.
RAR is a proprietary archive format that typically compresses 10–30% better than ZIP, with support for solid archives, recovery records, and multi-part splitting. WinRAR's business model is the most successful honour system in software history. The app asks you to pay after 40 days. Almost nobody does. It keeps working anyway. RAR was created by Eugene Roshal (the R-A-R stands for Roshal Archive) and somehow became a pillar of internet file distribution. The catch: unlike ZIP, no operating system opens RAR natively. You need WinRAR, 7-Zip, or The Unarchiver. If you are creating archives to share, ZIP is more polite. If you are downloading things from the internet, you will encounter RAR whether you like it or not.
Technical details
Full Name
RAR Archive
MIME Type
application/x-rar-compressed
Developer
Eugene Roshal / RARLAB
Magic Bytes
52 61 72 21
Safety
.rar requires caution. RAR files from unknown sources may contain malware. Scan contents before extracting.
What opens it
WinRAR
FREEWindows
7-Zip
FREEWindows
The Unarchiver
FREEmacOS
* Perpetual trial
FAQ
How do I open a RAR file?
On Windows, install 7-Zip (free) or WinRAR (free trial that never expires). On macOS, use The Unarchiver (free from the App Store). On Linux, install unrar from your package manager. Unlike ZIP, no OS handles RAR natively.
What is the difference between RAR and ZIP?
RAR compresses slightly better and supports recovery records (which can repair damaged archives). ZIP is universally supported without extra software. For sharing files, ZIP is more compatible. RAR is mainly used when maximum compression matters or when you are downloading files that someone else packed.
Do I actually need to buy WinRAR?
Legally, yes — after the 40-day trial. Practically, WinRAR famously continues to work after the trial expires, showing only a reminder dialog. 7-Zip is a completely free alternative that opens RAR files and creates ZIP/7Z archives.
Is WinRAR safe to download?
Only from the official site (rarlab.com). WinRAR is one of the most commonly impersonated programs — fake download sites bundle malware with it. Go directly to rarlab.com and nowhere else.