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Compress Files with Zstandard (zstd)

Use zstd for modern, fast compression — far quicker than gzip at similar or better ratios.

LinuxzstdFilescompressionLow risk
Run zstd -19 -q file to compress it into file.zst, and zstd -d file.zst to get the original back.

01Command

Command
$ zstd -19 -q bigfile.tar

02What it does

zstd (Zstandard) is a modern lossless compressor developed at Facebook that typically compresses several times faster than gzip at equal or better ratios. Levels range from 1 (fastest) to 19 by default, and --ultra unlocks levels up to 22 at the cost of much more memory. The original file is kept by default, and -d decompresses back to the exact input.

03Risk

RiskLow risk
Requirementszstd package installed

04Undo

Undo
$ zstd -d bigfile.tar.zst

05Sources

  • zstd(1) — Arch Linux manual
    Arch Linux · community · 2026-09-17
    Evidence: Arch manual documents zstd's -d decompress flag, --ultra and compression levels up to -19+
  • zstd(1) — Debian manpage
    Debian · community · 2026-09-17
    Evidence: Debian manpage describes zstd as a fast lossless compressor with -19 highest standard level and -d to decompress

Last verified: 2026-09-19 · Category: Files & Folders

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