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How to Unzip Zstandard Files - Step by Step Guide

Step 1

Upload or Paste Compressed Data

Start by providing your Zstandard compressed data. The tool accepts Base64-encoded .zst files:

Paste Base64 data: Copy your Base64-encoded compressed data and paste it
Upload .zst file: Click "Upload" to select a .zst or text file containing Base64 data
Try samples: Click sample buttons to test with example compressed data

Example: Compressed .zst File (Base64)

Sample Zstandard compressed data in Base64 format:

KLUv/SBcjQIA0gQRF6ClOs/8Tynz98A4OacT7wbTIlikftV5BYJN13cUqE2HKIXvTBEpTQw1Zsp9PzQHi4DbZPhCYx2Uy9x3zT2KgbxNCAEDAD0FdMOqDbMM
Step 2

Click Unzip

Click the "Unzip" button to extract your Zstandard compressed file. Zstandard offers better performance than gzip and brotli:

Fast decompression: Zstandard decompresses 2-3x faster than brotli
Lossless extraction: Original data is restored byte-for-byte perfectly
Instant results: Unzipped content appears immediately

Example: Zstandard Performance Comparison

How Zstandard compares to other compression formats:

Zstandard:Fast decompression (~500 MB/s), excellent compression ratio (defined by RFC 8878)
Gzip:Fast decompression (~300 MB/s), moderate compression ratio
Brotli:Slower decompression (~150 MB/s), good compression ratio
Step 3

View Extracted Content

Your original data is extracted and displayed with statistics:

Original content: View the fully extracted original data
File size info: See compressed vs unzipped sizes
Compression ratio: View how much space was saved

Example: Extracted Original Data

The unzipped original content:

{
  "user": "john_doe",
  "email": "[email protected]",
  "active": true,
  "preferences": {
    "theme": "dark",
    "notifications": true
  }
}
Step 4

Download or Copy

Use your extracted data in your applications. The unzipped data can be used in JSON applications, Node.js projects, or any text-based system:

Copy to clipboard: One-click copying for immediate use
Download file: Save the extracted data as a text file
Ready to use: Original data perfectly restored

Example: Using Unzipped Data in Applications

Sample code to use the extracted data:

// Node.js example with Zstandard
const zstd = require('@mongodb/zstd');
const fs = require('fs');

// Read compressed .zst file
const compressed = fs.readFileSync('data.zst');

// Decompress
const decompressed = zstd.decompress(compressed);

// Use the data
const jsonData = JSON.parse(decompressed.toString());
console.log(jsonData);

Zstandard is widely supported in Python, Node.js, and many other platforms!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Zstandard unzip?

Zstandard unzip is the process of extracting and decompressing .zst files back to their original form. Zstandard (Zstd) is a fast compression algorithm developed by Facebook that offers better compression ratios than gzip while maintaining extremely fast decompression speeds, making it perfect for real-time applications.

How do I unzip a .zst file?

Simply paste your Base64-encoded Zstandard compressed data or upload your .zst file, then click the "Unzip" button. The tool will instantly decompress the file and display the original content. You can then copy or download the extracted data. If you need to create .zst files, use our Zstandard Compressor.

Is Zstandard unzip faster than gzip or brotli?

Yes! Zstandard decompression is significantly faster than brotli (2-3x faster) and comparable to gzip, while offering better compression ratios. This makes Zstandard ideal for applications that need both excellent compression and fast extraction, such as databases, APIs, and real-time data processing.

Will the unzipped data be exactly the same as the original?

Absolutely! Zstandard is a lossless compression algorithm, meaning the extracted data is byte-for-byte identical to the original. Whether it's JSON, XML, text, binary data, or any other format, you'll get back exactly what was compressed with zero quality loss or data corruption.

Can I unzip large .zst files?

Yes! The tool handles various file sizes efficiently. Zstandard is designed for excellent performance with large files, offering fast decompression speeds regardless of the compression level used. The tool processes your data quickly and displays the extracted content immediately.

What if I get an error while unzipping?

Unzip errors typically occur if the file is corrupted, not actually Zstandard compressed, or if the Base64 encoding is invalid. Make sure you're using a valid .zst file or properly encoded Base64 data. Check that the entire file was copied without truncation. For other compression formats, try our GZIP Unzip or Brotli Unzip tools.