If you’ve ever found yourself typing “linux how to unzip” into Google, you’re not alone. Whether you’re dealing with .zip, .tar.gz, .bz2, or .7z files, Linux has powerful built-in tools to extract them easily via the terminal.

In this guide, we’ll walk through how to unzip different file formats on Linux with real-world examples and helpful commands.

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1. Linux How to Unzip a Zip File

To unzip a .zip file:

unzip filename.zip

If you don’t have unzip installed:

sudo apt install unzip   # Debian/Ubuntu
sudo yum install unzip   # CentOS/RHEL

Example:

unzip archive.zip

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2. Linux How to extract a GZ File

To unzip a .gz file (compressed single file):

gunzip filename.gz

To keep the original file:

gzip -dk filename.gz

Example:

gunzip report.csv.gz

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3. Linux How to unpack TAR.GZ File

For .tar.gz or .tgz files:

tar -xvzf filename.tar.gz

Example:

tar -xvzf backup-2024.tar.gz

• x = extract
• v = verbose
• z = unzip gzip
• f = filename

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4. Linux How to Unzip a TAR File

If it’s a .tar file:

tar -xvf filename.tar

Example:

tar -xvf logs.tar

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5. Linux How to Decompress 7Z File

For .7z files, install p7zip:

sudo apt install p7zip-full
7z x filename.7z

Example:

7z x archive.7z

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6. Linux How to Unzip a TGZ File

Same as .tar.gz:

tar -xvzf file.tgz

Example:

tar -xvzf website.tgz

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7. Linux How to Unzip a BZ2 File

To unzip a .bz2 file:

bunzip2 filename.bz2

Or keep the original:

bzip2 -dk filename.bz2

Example:

bunzip2 data.csv.bz2

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8. Linux How to Unzip XZ File

To unzip a .xz file:

unxz filename.xz

To retain the original:

xz -dk filename.xz

Example:

unxz image.iso.xz

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Summary Table of Unzip Commands

Format	Command
.zip	unzip file.zip
.gz	gunzip file.gz
.tar.gz	tar -xvzf file.tar.gz
.tar	tar -xvf file.tar
.7z	7z x file.7z
.tgz	tar -xvzf file.tgz
.bz2	bunzip2 file.bz2
.xz	unxz file.xz

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Tips for Extracting Files on Linux

• Use tar -tvf file.tar.gz to preview archive contents.
• Use -C /target/folder with tar or unzip to extract to a specific directory.
• Need help? Use man tar, man unzip, etc. for full manual pages.

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Conclusion: Mastering File Extraction in Linux

Whether you’re a Linux beginner or a seasoned sysadmin, knowing how to unzip files in Linux is a core skill that saves time, frustration, and improves your daily workflow. From common .zip archives to more advanced formats like .tar.gz, .bz2, .7z, and .xz, Linux provides a versatile set of built-in command-line tools to handle them all with ease and precision.

By learning just a few terminal commands, you can effortlessly extract, inspect, and manage compressed files without relying on third-party applications or graphical interfaces. These commands are especially useful when working on remote servers, automating deployment scripts, or handling large-scale file transfers.

Most Linux distributions come pre-installed with tools like tar, gzip, and bzip2, while others such as unzip, p7zip, or xz-utils may require a quick one-time install. Always remember to preview archive contents before extraction using verbose flags like -tvf—this can prevent accidental overwrites or unwanted directory clutter.

Now that you’ve explored multiple examples and formats, you’re ready to unzip any file that comes your way in Linux. Bookmark this guide or share it with your team—it might just save someone’s day during a high-pressure situation or deadline.

Happy unzipping! 🐧💻

For more in-depth documentation, check the official manuals like the GNU tar manual or Arch Linux unarchiving wiki.

Also, don’t miss our guide on how to zip a file on Linux for the reverse process.