OpenAnyFile
What is a .tzst file?
Zstandard-compressed TAR is an archive format developed by Meta (Yann Collet), first released in 2016. It is usually created by Arch Linux packages.
A .tar.zst; Arch Linux switched its packages to zstd in 2020 for much faster decompression.
File details
| Full name | Zstandard-compressed TAR |
|---|---|
| Category | Archives |
| MIME type | application/zstd |
| Signature (magic bytes) | 28 B5 2F FD |
| Developer | Meta (Yann Collet) |
| Introduced | 2016 |
| Opens with | Archive engine |
| Uploaded? | No — read locally in your browser |
How to open a .tzst file
OpenAnyFile routes .tzst files to its archive engine, which shows a browsable listing of everything inside.
- Drop your .tzst file on the box above, click it to choose the file, or paste it with Ctrl+V.
- The real format is detected from the file's first bytes — not just its name.
- The file opens in the archive engine.
- Use fullscreen for a closer look, check its checksums, or download it back unchanged.
What works — and what does not
Works
Viewing and inspecting: a browsable listing of everything inside. Size, type, signature and checksums are always shown.
Does not work
Editing and saving back. OpenAnyFile is a viewer, not an editor — for changes you still need the original app.
Is it safe to open a .tzst file online?
Here, yes — because nothing is uploaded. Most "online viewers" send your file to their server. OpenAnyFile reads it with your browser's File API and decodes it on your own device, so there is no copy anywhere else. You can check: open your browser's network tab while opening a file — no upload appears.
Questions about .tzst files
Can I open a .tzst file without installing software?
Yes. OpenAnyFile opens .tzst files in your browser using its archive engine. You get a browsable listing of everything inside, with nothing installed and no account.
How do I know a file is really a .tzst file?
Check its first bytes instead of its name. A genuine TZST file begins with 28 B5 2F FD. OpenAnyFile shows the detected type, so a renamed file is easy to spot.
Is my .tzst file uploaded anywhere?
No. The file is read locally by your browser and never sent to a server — it even works offline once the page has loaded.
Does it work on phones?
Yes — on Android and iPhone, in any modern browser. You can also install OpenAnyFile as an app.
Related formats
Other formats from the same family:
Format facts checked and page updated on September 25, 2026.