# ZIP Archive Preview

Preview contents of ZIP archive without extraction

> Canonical page: https://elysiatools.com/en/tools/zip-preview

- **Category:** Compression

- **Keywords:** zip, preview, list, view, archive inspection, zip contents

## Overview

The ZIP Archive Preview tool allows you to instantly inspect the contents of a ZIP file without needing to extract it to your local storage. Simply upload your archive to view a structured list of all contained files, their sizes, and directory paths, saving you time and disk space.

## Inputs

- **ZIP File** (file): Select ZIP file to preview

## When to use

- When you need to verify the contents of a large ZIP file before downloading or extracting it.
- When you want to quickly locate a specific file within a nested archive structure.
- When you are working on a device with limited storage and want to avoid unnecessary file extraction.

## How it works

- Upload your ZIP file using the file selection button.
- The tool scans the archive header to retrieve the file list.
- View the organized list of files, including their names and sizes, directly in your browser.

## Use cases

- Checking if a specific document exists inside a large project archive.
- Verifying the folder structure of a compressed backup before restoration.
- Quickly identifying the contents of an unknown ZIP file received via email.

## Frequently asked questions

### Do I need to install any software to use this tool?

No, this tool runs entirely in your web browser, so no installation is required.

### Are my files uploaded to a server?

The preview process is handled locally in your browser, ensuring your files remain private and secure.

### Is there a limit to the ZIP file size?

Yes, the tool supports ZIP files up to 500MB for optimal performance.

### Can I extract files using this tool?

No, this tool is strictly for previewing and inspecting the contents of an archive.

### What happens to my data after I close the page?

Since the processing happens locally, no data is stored or saved once you leave or refresh the page.

## Related tools

- [7Z Archive Preview](https://elysiatools.com/en/tools/7z-preview): Preview contents of 7Z archive without extraction (requires 7zip command)
- [TAR.GZ Archive Preview](https://elysiatools.com/en/tools/tar-gz-preview): Preview contents of TAR.GZ archive without extraction (requires 7zip command)
- [TAR Archive Preview](https://elysiatools.com/en/tools/tar-preview): Preview contents of TAR archive without extraction
- [GZIP File Preview](https://elysiatools.com/en/tools/gzip-preview): Preview GZIP compressed file information (requires 7zip command)
- [AGEX Bundle Inspector](https://elysiatools.com/en/tools/agex-bundle-inspector): Inspect AGEX bundle metadata without decrypting the file contents
- [Audio Metadata Viewer](https://elysiatools.com/en/tools/audio-metadata-viewer): View all metadata tags of an audio file
- [ZIP File Extractor](https://elysiatools.com/en/tools/zip-selective-extract): Extract a single file from ZIP archive by exact path
- [File Type Detector (Magic Number)](https://elysiatools.com/en/tools/file-type-detect): Identify a file by its magic-number byte signature, not the extension. Reads the uploaded file directly across ~70 types.

## Samples

- [ZIP Viewer Samples](https://elysiatools.com/en/samples/zip-viewer-samples): A small ZIP archive with text and JSON files for in-browser preview
- [US City & ZIP Code Samples](https://elysiatools.com/en/samples/us-city-zip): Collection of US cities with their ZIP codes for validation testing
- [Android Image Processing Java Samples](https://elysiatools.com/en/samples/android-image-processing-java): Android Java image processing examples including reading/saving images, scaling, and format conversion
- [Android Image Processing Kotlin Samples](https://elysiatools.com/en/samples/android-image-processing-kotlin): Android Kotlin image processing examples including reading/saving images, scaling, and format conversion

## Related content

- [Archive Preview, Selective Extraction, and Format Conversion](https://elysiatools.com/en/hubs/archive-preview-selective-extraction-and-conversion): Preview supported archives, extract one verified member, and convert the result.