RAR Files
What Does the .RAR File Extension Mean?
The .rar extension marks a file as a RAR archive, but you'll also see .r00, .part1.rar, and .rev variants used for split and recovery volumes.
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A file extension is the short suffix after the final period in a file name, and it tells your operating system (and any installed program) what kind of file it is and which program should open it by default. For RAR archives, that suffix takes a few different forms depending on how the archive was created.
Common RAR-related extensions
| Extension | Meaning |
|---|---|
| .rar | A single, complete RAR archive, or the first volume in some older multi-volume naming schemes |
| .r00, .r01, .r02… | Additional volumes of a split archive created with the older naming convention, following an initial .rar file |
| .part1.rar, .part2.rar… | Volumes of a split archive using the newer naming convention; .part1.rar is the one you open first |
| .rev | A recovery volume, used by WinRAR to reconstruct a missing or damaged part of a split archive |
For a full explanation of why archives get split into these pieces and how to extract them correctly, see multi-part RAR files.
Hidden extensions in Windows
By default, Windows hides known file extensions in File Explorer, so a file might display as just "Documents" even though its real name is "Documents.rar". This can make it hard to tell at a glance whether a file is an archive at all.
How to show file extensions in Windows
- 1Open File ExplorerClick the folder icon in the taskbar or press Windows key + E.
- 2Go to the View optionsIn the ribbon or menu, look for View, then Show, then File name extensions (naming may vary slightly by Windows version).
- 3Enable the optionOnce checked, every file in File Explorer displays its full extension, including .rar, .zip, and others.
Wrong icon or wrong program opening the file
If double-clicking a .rar file opens the wrong program, or shows a generic icon instead of an archive icon, the file association for that extension points somewhere unexpected. This often happens after installing or uninstalling archive software. You can right-click the file, choose "Open with," and select the correct program, optionally checking a box to make that the default going forward. If the extractor itself seems broken, see WinRAR not opening.
Download and try it yourself
Install the archive tool and apply the steps from this guide on your own files.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my RAR file have no icon or a blank icon?
This usually means no program on your system is currently registered to handle the .rar extension. Installing an extractor typically restores the correct icon and association.
What's the difference between .r00 and .part1.rar naming?
Both mark volumes of a split archive, but they come from different naming conventions used at different times. Functionally they serve the same purpose — see [multi-part RAR files](/multi-part-rar-files).
Is it safe to rename a .rar file's extension?
Renaming the extension doesn't change the file's actual contents, but it can break the association needed to open it correctly. Keep the original extension unless you have a specific reason to change it.
Related guides
- 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.
- The RAR File Format ExplainedRAR is a proprietary archive format with its own header structure, versioning, and optional features like solid compression and recovery records.
- Why Won't My RAR File Open?Work through these causes in order, from most to least common. Most RAR files that "won't open" are fixed at the first or second step.
- What Is an Archive File?An archive file bundles one or more files into a single container, often compressed, so they're easier to store or send as one unit.
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