Guides
How to Create a RAR File
Only RARLAB's own tools can create a genuine RAR archive. Here's how to do it in WinRAR, and what to consider if you'd rather not use it.
Get an archive tool for your computer
Download the installer and start opening RAR, ZIP and 7z archives in a few minutes.
RAR is a proprietary format, so creating a .rar archive requires WinRAR or RARLAB's command-line RAR utility. No free third-party tool can produce a real RAR file, even though many can extract one.
Steps in WinRAR
- 1Select the files or folderChoose everything you want included in the archive.
- 2Right-click and choose Add to archiveThis opens WinRAR's archive creation dialog.
- 3Set the archive format to RARWinRAR can also create ZIP, but RAR is the default and required if you specifically need
.rar. - 4Choose a compression levelHigher levels shrink the archive more but take longer to create.
- 5Set optional featuresAdd a password, recovery record, or split into volumes if needed.
- 6Click OKWinRAR creates the archive in the same folder unless you specified another location.
Options that matter
- Compression level — trades archive size against how long compression takes; higher isn't always necessary for already-compressed files like photos or videos.
- Dictionary size — affects how much data the compressor can reference at once; larger dictionaries can help with bigger, more repetitive files.
- Volumes — splits the archive into fixed-size parts, useful for size-limited uploads; see multi-part RAR files.
- Recovery record — adds redundant data that can help repair the archive if part of it becomes corrupted later.
- Password — encrypts the contents; see password-protected RAR files for what that does and doesn't protect.
When to pick a different format instead
If broad compatibility matters more than RAR-specific features, ZIP is understood natively by both Windows and macOS. If you want an open, free-to-create alternative with strong compression, 7z is worth considering. See RAR vs 7z for the trade-offs.
Download and try it yourself
Install the archive tool and apply the steps from this guide on your own files.
Frequently asked questions
Can I create a RAR file for free?
WinRAR is distributed with an unlimited-time evaluation, so you can create RAR archives during that evaluation. There is no free tool from another publisher that creates genuine RAR files.
What compression level should I use?
For already-compressed files like JPEGs or videos, a lower level saves time with little size benefit. For text or uncompressed data, a higher level typically helps more.
Does adding a recovery record make the archive bigger?
Yes, a recovery record adds redundant data, increasing archive size in exchange for better resilience against corruption.
Should I just create a ZIP instead?
If you don't specifically need RAR features, ZIP is more universally supported without installing anything on most systems.
Related guides
- WinRAR AlternativesIf you want to stop paying for or evaluating WinRAR, several free and paid programs can open and create archives instead. Here is what each one does and does not do.
- RAR vs 7zRAR and 7z are both container formats built around solid, high-ratio compression, but they differ in who controls the format and what tooling can create them.
- Multi-Part (Split) RAR Files ExplainedA multi-part RAR archive splits one large compressed file into several smaller pieces that must all be present in one folder to extract correctly.
- Password-Protected and Encrypted RAR ArchivesA password-protected RAR archive uses encryption to keep its contents unreadable without the correct password — there is no legitimate shortcut around one you don't know.
WinRAR is a trademark of its respective owner. RareExplorer is an independent resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by RARLAB or win.rar GmbH. Read our editorial policy to see how this page was researched.