What are CBR and CBZ files?

Author: Nicolas | Last update: June 14, 2023

We sometimes come across files with extensions ending in ".cbr" or ".cbz" . But what are these files, sometimes used to store comics and mangas?

What is a CBR file?

The CBR (Comic Book RAR) file is a format often used to store and read digital comics and manga.

It's an archive format that contains all the pages of a book in a single file.

To facilitate its exchange on the Internet, pages and images are compressed using the RAR file format to reduce their size in MB (also known as the "weight" of a file).

What is a CBZ file?

The CBZ (Comic Book Zip) file is also a digital exchange format for comics and mangas.

As with CBR, all the pages and information in the document are grouped together in a single file.

Pages and images are compressed using the Zip system to reduce their size in MB (also known as the "weight" of a file).

How do the CBR and CBZ files work?

How CBR files work :

• CBR files use the RAR compression format to compress images and assemble them into an archive.
• Comic strip images are generally stored in the archive as sequentially numbered image files, such as page001.jpg, page002.jpg, etc.
• To access the contents of the CBR archive, you need RAR-compatible decompression software, such as WinRAR, 7-Zip, or specific comic book readers.

How CBZ files work :

• CBZ files use the ZIP compression format to compress images and assemble them into an archive.
• Like CBR files, comic strip images are stored in the archive as sequentially numbered image files.
• To access the contents of a CBZ file, you can use common decompression software, such as WinRAR, 7-Zip, or specific comic book readers.

Advantages of CBR and CBZ files

These formats offer a number of advantages over PDF or Epub files:

• Compression: CBR and CBZ files use compression algorithms to reduce file size, enabling multiple comic pages to be stored in a single compact file.
• Organization: CBR and CBZ files allow comic pages to be organized sequentially, simplifying reading and navigation through the various pages.
• Portability: CBR and CBZ files are widely supported by many comic-reading software programs on different platforms, such as computers, tablets and smartphones.

Disadvantages of CBR and CBZ files

This file type also has its drawbacks, which are worth noting:

• Static content: CBR and CBZ files contain still images of comic book pages, which means they don't allow for interaction or animation like some other forms of digital media.
• Image quality: Image quality depends on the resolution of the original images used to create the CBR or CBZ file. If the original images are of low resolution, this may affect display quality.
• Limited editing: CBR and CBZ files are generally used for reading and storing comics, but are not ideal for editing or modifying content.

CBR and CBZ files are therefore useful for exchanging and reading digital comics.

**They enable comics fans to store and easily access a wide range of comics, graphic novels and mangas.

Today, it's mainly an exchange format, since book publishers prefer to use EPUB or PDF files, which are easier to protect from copying.**

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