How to zip a folder
- Select Choose a folder, or drag a folder from your computer onto the box. You can also choose individual files, or add more files and folders afterwards.
- Optionally set the ZIP’s name and the compression level.
- Select Create ZIP, then Download ZIP.
Why put files in a ZIP
- Email and upload one file instead of many; most email services and upload forms accept a single ZIP more easily than dozens of attachments.
- Keep folders together: the structure survives the trip.
- Save space on documents and other uncompressed files.
- Back up a project or set of photos as one tidy file.
Choosing the compression level
| Level | Best for | Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Normal | Documents, spreadsheets, code, mixed folders | Fast |
| Maximum | Text-heavy files where every megabyte counts | Slower |
| None | Photos, videos, music, PDFs and other already-compressed files | Fastest |
Zipping without a website
Computers can also make ZIPs themselves:
- Windows 11: right-click the folder and choose Compress to ZIP file (or Compress to › ZIP File on newer versions). On Windows 10, choose Send to › Compressed (zipped) folder.
- Mac: right-click (or Control-click) the folder and choose Compress.
This tool helps on computers where those menus aren’t available, such as some managed work computers, and lets you name the ZIP and choose the compression in one place.
Size limits
The ZIP is assembled in your browser’s memory. Folders of several hundred megabytes work on a typical computer; for many gigabytes, use your computer’s built-in compression instead. Standard email services usually limit attachments to around 20–25 MB, so large ZIPs are better shared through a cloud drive link.
Privacy
Files are packed with fflate, an open-source ZIP library, inside your browser. Nothing is uploaded at any point.
Questions
Are my files uploaded?
No. The ZIP is created inside your browser from the files on your device. Nothing is sent to xconverter or anyone else.
Are subfolders kept?
Yes. When you choose or drop a folder, every file is stored at its place in the folder structure, so unzipping recreates the same folders.
Will zipping make my files much smaller?
It depends on the files. Documents, spreadsheets and text often shrink by half or more. Photos, videos, MP3s and PDFs are already compressed, so they barely shrink; choose "None" for those to create the ZIP fastest.
Can I zip a folder on my phone?
Most phone browsers can't choose whole folders, but you can choose several files at once and they'll be zipped together. On iPhone, the Files app can also compress files itself (touch and hold, then Compress).
Last reviewed 14 November 2026