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.EAR·File Extension

EAR Archive — A .ear file is a EAR Archive. It is a compressed archive format that bundles files for easier storage and distribution.

Archiveapplication/java-archive

Quick facts

Extension.ear

File typeEAR Archive

MIME typeapplication/java-archive

CategoryArchive

Charset—

CompressibleNo

What is .ear

What is a .ear file?

A .ear file is a EAR Archive. It is a compressed archive format that bundles files for easier storage and distribution.

In the mime-db registry it maps to application/java-archive, and it is marked as non-compressible. When serving .ear over HTTP, set the Content-Type header as shown in Developer info below.

Related entities: it maps to application/java-archive — and is delivered over HTTP via the Content-Type header.

How to open .ear files

Use 7-Zip or WinRAR to open and edit .ear files.
Any text editor (Notepad, VS Code) can inspect the raw content as text.

Developer info

When served over HTTP, responses should set the following header:

Content-Type: application/java-archive

Common software that reads/writes .ear:

7-ZipWinRARtarThe Unarchiver

Relation chain

.earextension of

format

EAR Archiveserved as

mime type

application/java-archivesent via header

http header

Related extensions

Web Application Archive

Related MIME types

application/java-archive

.jar .war .ear

Common uses

File distribution
Backup bundles
Software installation packages

How to edit .ear files

Open the file with 7-Zip, make your changes and save.
Most editors preserve the original formatting and encoding — avoid changing the charset.

How to create .ear files

Create a new file and save it with the .ear extension, or export this format from 7-Zip.

Frequently asked questions

What programs can open .ear files?

Common options include 7-Zip, WinRAR, tar. You can also open many of these files with built-in viewers or a browser.

How do I create a .ear file?

Create a new file in any text editor or the app that owns the format and save it with the .ear extension.

What is the relationship between .ear and the application/java-archive MIME type?

application/java-archive is the media type identifier used for .ear files during network transfer (for example in the HTTP Content-Type header).

Sources & standards

Updated 2026-09-13

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