How to use the ZIP File Creator
- Drop files on the box, click it to choose files, or use Add a folder to include a folder with its structure.
- Remove anything you do not want in the list.
- Name the archive and choose a compression level — 6 is a good default.
- Click Create ZIP & download.
What is a ZIP file?
ZIP is the most common archive format: one file that contains many files and folders, each compressed with DEFLATE. Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android can open ZIP files without extra software, which makes it the safest way to send a bundle of documents, images or project files.
Why create ZIPs in the browser?
Most online zip tools upload your files to a server, compress them there and send the archive back. This tool does the work locally with JavaScript, so:
- Nothing is uploaded — confidential documents never leave your computer.
- It is fast — no upload or download wait for large files.
- There is no file-size limit imposed by a server; the practical limit is your device’s memory (a few gigabytes on a desktop).
Compression levels
| Level | Use when |
|---|---|
| 0 — store | Files are already compressed (JPEG, PNG, MP4, PDF, other ZIPs) — saves time, size barely changes |
| 1 — fast | Large text files where speed matters |
| 6 — normal | Everyday use; nearly as small as maximum |
| 9 — maximum | Text-heavy archives (code, CSV, logs) you want as small as possible |
Folders and file names
When you add a folder, the relative paths are kept, so the archive unpacks into the same structure. Files with the same name are renamed (report (2).pdf) instead of being overwritten. File names are stored in UTF-8, which current versions of Windows, macOS and Linux read correctly.
Limits
Password protection and encryption are not supported. For a single file or text stream, a gzip file is simpler; to open an existing archive, use Unzip files online.
Tools that pair well with the ZIP File Creator
- Image Compressor — Shrink photos and graphics by 50–90% without visible quality loss.
- Brotli Compress & Decompress — Compress text or files with Brotli at any quality from 0 to 11, decompress .br data, and compare the result against gzip — all locally in your browser.
- JSON Minifier — Remove all unnecessary whitespace from JSON, validate it at the same time and see exactly how many bytes you save — before and after gzip.
- Website Compression Test — Enter a URL to see which compression your server sends for each Accept-Encoding, how many bytes it saves, whether its CSS and JavaScript are compressed, and what Brotli could save.