GZIP Archive — Gzip-compressed file, often used for logs and tar archives.
Quick facts
What is .gz
A .gz file is a GZIP Archive — Gzip-compressed file, often used for logs and tar archives.
In the mime-db registry it maps to application/gzip, and it is marked as non-compressible. When serving .gz over HTTP, set the Content-Type header as shown in Developer info below.
Related entities: it maps to application/gzip — and is delivered over HTTP via the Content-Type header.
How to open .gz files
Developer info
When served over HTTP, responses should set the following header:
Content-Type: application/gzip
Common software that reads/writes .gz:
Relation chain
Related extensions
Related MIME types
Common uses
How to edit .gz files
How to create .gz files
Frequently asked questions
Common options include gzip, 7-Zip, WinRAR. You can also open many of these files with built-in viewers or a browser.
Create a new file in any text editor or the app that owns the format and save it with the .gz extension.
application/gzip is the media type identifier used for .gz files during network transfer (for example in the HTTP Content-Type header).
Sources & standards
Updated 2026-09-13
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