A ZIP file is a type of file that bundles one or more files and folders together in a single container while also compressing them to reduce their total size. This makes it easier and faster to store, send, or download groups of files, for example as an email attachment or a single download from a website.

Basic idea

A ZIP file acts like a special folder that has been “shrunk” using compression algorithms, so the data inside takes up less space without losing any information (lossless compression). When you “unzip” it, the original files are restored exactly as they were before compression.

Common uses

ZIP files are commonly used to:

• Save storage space on a device by compressing large or multiple files.

• Send or share many files at once (such as documents, images, or project folders) as a single attachment or download.

• Archive or back up data in an organized way while keeping everything together in one file.

How to open one

Most modern operating systems, including Windows and macOS, can open and create ZIP files without extra software; you usually right‑click and choose an option like “Extract” or “Unzip.” There are also dedicated apps such as 7‑Zip, WinRAR, and others that can create and extract ZIP files with additional features like encryption.