How to Check Zip Compression Method Ubuntu

This article explains how to identify the compression algorithm inside a zip file on Ubuntu. It covers the specific terminal command required to view verbose details, including the compression method, without extracting the data.

Use the Unzip Verbose Command

To list the compression method, use the unzip utility with the -v flag. Open your terminal and enter the following command:

unzip -v filename.zip

Replace filename.zip with the path to your actual archive.

Read the Method Column

The output displays a table of contents for the archive. Locate the column titled Method. This indicates the compression technique used for each file. Common values include:

• Stored: The file is saved without compression.
• Defl:N: The file is compressed using the Deflate algorithm.

Alternative Using Zipinfo

If available, the zipinfo command provides similar details. Run the following:

zipinfo -v filename.zip

Scan the verbose output for the compression method listed next to each file entry.