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How to Extract ZIP Files Online - Step by Step Guide

Extract, preview, and download files from ZIP archives and Base64 ZIP payloads directly in your browser

Step 1

Input ZIP Data

Load your ZIP archive into the extractor! Whether you have a .zip file on disk or a Base64 ZIP string from an API response, you have multiple convenient input options:

•
Paste Base64: Copy a Base64-encoded ZIP string from API responses, database fields, or message queues and paste it directly into the input editor. Base64 handling follows RFC 4648 encoding rules.
•
Upload a .zip file: Click "Upload" to select a ZIP archive from your computer using the browser's File API.
•
Try the sample: Click "Sample" to load a demo ZIP archive and explore the extraction workflow before using your own data.

Example: Base64 ZIP Input from an API

A typical API response containing a Base64-encoded ZIP payload:

{
  "status": "success",
  "filename": "report-2024.zip",
  "content_type": "application/zip",
  "data": "UEsDBBQAAAAIAA..."
}

Copy the Base64 string from the data field and paste it into the extractor to inspect the archive contents.

Step 2

Select and Preview Files

Once your ZIP data is loaded, the extractor automatically parses the archive structure using JSZip and lists all entries. ZIP archives use DEFLATE compression internally, and the tool handles decompression automatically:

•
File listing: See all files and folders inside the archive with names, sizes, and compression ratios at a glance.
•
Text preview: Click any text-based file (JSON, XML, CSV, TXT, HTML, YAML) to preview its contents directly in the browser.
•
Binary detection: Binary files (images, executables, PDFs) are detected automatically and marked for download instead of preview.

Example: Extracted File Listing

After loading a ZIP archive, the extractor displays a structured file list:

Archive: project-bundle.zip
──────────────────────────────────────
  config.json        1.2 KB  (text)
  README.md          3.4 KB  (text)
  assets/logo.png   24.8 KB  (binary)
  data/users.csv     8.1 KB  (text)
  src/index.js       2.7 KB  (text)
──────────────────────────────────────
  Total: 5 files  |  40.2 KB
Step 3

Download or Reuse Content

Get your extracted files ready for use! Multiple export options let you work with extracted content in any workflow, from development to API Testing:

•
Download individual files: Save any extracted file directly to your computer using Blob downloads.
•
Copy text content: One-click copy extracted text files for pasting into code editors, config managers, or documentation.
•
Repackage content: Send extracted data to ZIP Creator to build new archives, or convert results with ZIP to Base64 for API payloads.

Example: Previewing an Extracted JSON File

Clicking a text file shows its content with formatting:

{
  "app": "dashboard",
  "version": "2.5.0",
  "environment": "production",
  "features": [
    "analytics",
    "notifications",
    "export"
  ]
}

Frequently Asked Questions

Does ZIP extraction happen locally in my browser?

Yes, extraction runs entirely in your browser using client-side JavaScript. Your ZIP files are never uploaded to a server, which keeps sensitive archives private and gives instant feedback. The workflow relies on the browser's File API and FileReader capabilities for reading uploaded files, and JSZip for parsing archive structure.

Can I extract Base64 ZIP data from API responses?

Yes. Many REST APIs return ZIP payloads encoded as Base64 strings inside JSON responses. Simply copy the Base64 string from the API output and paste it into the extractor. The tool decodes the Base64, validates the ZIP structure, and lists all contained files for preview and download. This is especially useful when debugging REST API endpoints that generate downloadable reports or file bundles.

Why do some files show no preview?

Binary files such as images, PDFs, executables, and compiled assets cannot be meaningfully rendered as text. The extractor detects these files based on their MIME type and content patterns, and offers a direct download button instead. Text-based formats like JSON, XML, CSV, HTML, YAML, and plain text are always previewed inline.

Is this compatible with ZIP files from other tools?

Yes. The extractor supports standard ZIP archives created by any tool that follows the PKWARE ZIP specification, including WinZip, 7-Zip, macOS Archive Utility, and Linux zip command. Archives using standard DEFLATE compression or store mode are fully supported.

Can I extract large ZIP files?

The extractor handles ZIP files efficiently using streaming decompression in the browser. For very large archives, performance depends on your device's available memory. Most archives under 100 MB extract smoothly. If you need to verify archive integrity before extraction, use the ZIP Validator first.

Is the ZIP Extractor completely free?

Yes, totally free with no limitations on file size, usage frequency, or features. No registration required, and you can extract unlimited ZIP files with full preview and download capabilities. For creating ZIP archives, use ZIP Creator.

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