Which file extension is typically used for compressed files?

The file extension typically associated with compressed files is .zip. This format is widely recognized and used for data compression, making it easy to package multiple files or folders into a single file while reducing the overall size.

The .zip format also supports various compression algorithms, allowing for efficient storage and transmission of files. It is particularly user-friendly, as many operating systems provide built-in tools for creating and extracting .zip files, making it accessible for users without the need for special software.

Other formats like .tar, .rar, and .gzip also relate to file compression but serve different purposes or have specific contexts of use. For example, .tar is often used to archive multiple files without compression but can be compressed further using gzip, resulting in a .tar.gz file, while .rar relies on proprietary technology. Therefore, .zip remains the most commonly utilized and recognized format for general-purpose compressed files.