How to convert TAR to TAR.BZ2
To convert TAR to TAR.BZ2, upload your TAR file, choose TAR.BZ2 as the output format and press Convert. The finished TAR.BZ2 file is ready to save to your phone or computer in seconds, free, with no watermark and no sign-up. Your file is deleted from our server about 30 minutes after the conversion.
This free online converter turns TAR archive files into TAR.BZ2 in your browser, with no software to install and no watermark. The conversion runs on our server using Python's archive libraries with safe extraction, and the result is ready to save to your phone or computer in seconds. Your TAR file is deleted automatically about 30 minutes after the conversion.
Reasons to switch from TAR to TAR.BZ2
- Better compression than TAR.GZ
- Keeps Unix permissions
- Common in older Linux packages
- Opens in: Linux, macOS, 7-Zip and WinRAR
What to expect from this conversion
- The archive is unpacked and repacked as TAR.BZ2, so every file keeps its name and folder structure. Contents are not changed.
- Password-protected archives cannot be converted. For safety, archives with unsafe paths, or that unpack to more than 2000 MB, are refused.
- TAR.BZ2 is the standard on Linux and macOS and keeps Unix file permissions.
TAR vs TAR.BZ2
| Property | TAR | TAR.BZ2 |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Tape Archive | Bzip2-compressed TAR Archive |
| Released | 1979, Unix (Bell Labs) | 1996, Julian Seward and Unix |
| Family | Archive | Archive |
| Opens in | Linux, macOS, Windows 10+ and every archive tool | Linux, macOS, 7-Zip and WinRAR |
| Best for | Linux backups; software source bundles | older Linux source packages; scientific data archives |
Steps to convert TAR to TAR.BZ2
- Drop your TAR file onto the converter, or click to choose it.
- Check that TAR.BZ2 is selected as the target format and adjust the options if you want.
- Press Convert, then save the new TAR.BZ2 file to your device when it finishes.
Tips for the best result
- Use ZIP for sharing and 7Z for the smallest files.
- Remove the password before converting.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert TAR to TAR.BZ2?
Drop your TAR file on the converter, confirm that TAR.BZ2 is the target format and press Convert. When it finishes, press Save to device or download the TAR.BZ2 file. No account or software is needed.
Is the TAR to TAR.BZ2 converter free?
Yes. It is free, with no watermark, no sign-up and no limit on how many files you convert. The site is supported by ads.
What should I know before converting TAR to TAR.BZ2?
The archive is unpacked and repacked as TAR.BZ2, so every file keeps its name and folder structure. Contents are not changed. Password-protected archives cannot be converted. For safety, archives with unsafe paths, or that unpack to more than 2000 MB, are refused.
Are the files inside my TAR archive changed?
No. They are unpacked and repacked as TAR.BZ2 with the same names and folders. Only the container changes.
Which programs open TAR.BZ2 files?
TAR.BZ2 files open in Linux, macOS, 7-Zip and WinRAR.
How large a file can I convert?
Up to 500 MB per file. Files are deleted from the server about 30 minutes after conversion, and no one looks at them.