Create a ZIP file online from files and folders
The ZIP creator packs files and whole folders into a single .zip file in your browser. Drag in a folder and its sub-folders stay exactly as they are; rename or remove anything before you build the archive, choose how hard to compress, add a comment, and download a standard ZIP that opens on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS without extra software.
The archive is built on your own device, so nothing is uploaded — reassuring when you are bundling contracts, ID scans, photos or source code — and there is no account, watermark or daily limit. A ZIP made here can be up to 4 GB, and ZIP64 records are added automatically when it holds more than 65,535 files and folders.
How to use the ZIP Creator
- Drag files or folders onto the drop area, or use Add files or Add folder. New empty folder adds a folder with nothing in it yet.
- Check the list. Edit a path to rename a file or move it into a folder — type
Photos/2026/beach.jpg— or press × to remove it. - Pick a Compression level and, if you like, type an archive comment or set a password.
- Name your ZIP and press Create ZIP. The progress bar follows each file and the ZIP downloads when it is ready.
- Press Test archive to read the new ZIP back and verify every file against its CRC-32 checksum.
ZIP Creator features
Files and folders, structure kept
Drop whole folders, sub-folders included, or pick one with “Add folder”. Paths use forward slashes, as every unzip program expects, and empty folders you drag in are kept.
Rename and reorganise first
Every path is editable, so you can fix names or group files into new folders before zipping. Two files with the same name get “(2)” instead of overwriting each other, and paths with “..” are refused.
Store or Deflate 1–9
Store packs files without compressing them (fastest); Deflate 1 is quick, 6 is the usual balance and 9 squeezes out the last few percent. Compression uses pako, a JavaScript port of zlib (MIT licence).
Smart handling of compressed files
JPG, PNG, MP4, MP3, ZIP, DOCX and similar files are stored as they are by default, and any file that would grow is stored automatically, so a ZIP is never bigger than it needs to be.
Unicode names and real dates
Names in any script are saved in UTF-8 with the ZIP format’s UTF-8 flag, and each file keeps its modified date — both the classic DOS time and a precise UTC timestamp.
Built-in integrity test
“Test archive” re-reads the finished ZIP and checks every file, so you know it is good before you email or upload it.
Which compression level should you use?
Plain text, CSV, JSON, HTML and source code typically shrink by 60–90%. Office files, PDFs and images barely shrink because they are compressed already — for them, ZIP is a way to bundle files, not to make them smaller. To shrink the photos themselves, run them through the image compressor first; for PDFs, use compress PDF.
| Setting | Speed | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Store | Fastest | Photos, videos, music and files that are already compressed |
| Deflate 1–3 | Fast | Large logs or data exports when time matters more than size |
| Deflate 6 (default) | Balanced | Documents, code, CSV and everyday use |
| Deflate 8–9 | Slowest | Text-heavy archives where every kilobyte counts — usually only 1–3% smaller than 6 |
Password protection: what ZipCrypto can and cannot do
You can lock the ZIP with a password using ZipCrypto, the original ZIP encryption. Its strength is compatibility: Windows File Explorer, macOS Archive Utility, 7-Zip and phone apps all open it once the password is typed.
Its weakness is just as real. ZipCrypto dates from the early 1990s and can be broken with a known-plaintext attack — for example when someone has a copy of one of the files inside — and short passwords can be guessed quickly. File names, sizes and dates are not hidden either. Treat it as a lock against casual snooping, not protection for sensitive data.
This tool does not create AES-encrypted ZIPs. For confidential files, use a desktop archiver such as 7-Zip with AES-256 and a long passphrase. For short secrets, the text encryption tool uses AES-GCM.
Tips for ZIP files that open everywhere
- Keep paths reasonably short — many Windows programs still stop at 260 characters for a full path.
- Avoid
< > : " | ? *in names: they are allowed inside a ZIP but cannot be used in Windows file names. - Email services commonly cap attachments at 20–25 MB, and many reject ZIPs that contain .exe or .js files.
- Folders copied from a Mac can contain hidden
.DS_Storefiles — remove them from the list if you do not want them in the ZIP.
ZIP Creator FAQ
How do I create a ZIP file online?
Drop your files or folders onto this page, check the list, choose a compression level and press “Create ZIP”. The archive is built in your browser and downloads straight away — no account and no upload.
Is there a size limit?
A ZIP made here can be up to 4 GB and hold up to 200,000 files and folders. Everything happens in your browser’s memory, so very large archives work best on a computer; on a phone, stay under a few hundred megabytes.
Can I zip a folder with sub-folders?
Yes. Drag the folder onto the page or use “Add folder” and every sub-folder and file keeps its place. Empty folders are kept when you drag a folder in; the “Add folder” picker cannot see empty folders (a browser limitation), so add those with “New empty folder”.
Can I password-protect the ZIP?
Yes, with ZipCrypto, which every unzip tool can open. It is weak encryption, though, so do not rely on it for sensitive files; AES encryption is not offered here.
Why is my ZIP almost the same size as the original files?
Most photos, videos, music and Office documents are already compressed, so zipping saves little. ZIP shrinks text, CSV, logs and code the most.
Will the ZIP open on Windows and Mac?
Yes. It is a standard ZIP (Store or Deflate) with UTF-8 file names, which Windows 10 and 11, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS open natively. To look inside any ZIP, use the ZIP extractor.
Are my files uploaded anywhere?
No. Your browser reads and compresses the files on your own device; they are never sent to a server.