XAR File

What are XAR files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening an XAR file or just wondering what they contain? We explain what these files are used for and show you software that we know can open or otherwise handle your files.

What is an XAR file?

XAR files have multiple uses, and XAR Archive is one of them. Read more about the other uses further down the page.

XAR Archive

Files with file extension XAR are archives created in eXtensible ARchive format, a format invented by Apple and used in Mac OS when installing software and Safari browser extensions.

XAR is an archive format, meaning a single XAR file can contain multiple files. It is different from most other archive formats as it makes it possible for individual files to use different compression schemes optimized for each type of file.

How to open XAR files

We have identified three XAR openers that are compatible with this specific type of XAR file.

Programs that open XAR Archive files

Last updated: April 26, 2023

All known file formats using extension .XAR

While XAR Archive is a popular type of XAR-file, we know of 2 different uses of the .XAR file extension. Different software may use files with the same extension for different types of data.

Xara vector drawing

The Xar file format is an open vector graphic format, resulting in tiny files compared to other vector formats. It is the native graphics format for the Xara X application and its predecessor CorelXARA.

XAR predates more recent formats such as SVG but still results in more compact files.

The XAR file format is an open standard: XAR specification

While we have not verified the apps ourselves yet, our users have suggested ten different XAR openers which you will find listed below.

Various apps that use files with this extension

These apps are known to open certain types of XAR files. Remember, different programs may use XAR files for different purposes, so you may need to try out a few of them to be able to open your specific file.

Help us help others

File.org helps thousands of users every day, and we would love to hear from you if you have additional information about XAR file formats, example files, or compatible programs. Please use the links below or email us at submit@file.org to discuss further.