---
title: "Translate ZIP archives"
description: "Send a ZIP of up to 200 files of one format, 20 MB in total, and get the whole set back translated with the same folder layout and file names. Example instructions included."
canonical: "https://ai-glot.com/docs/formats/zip"
updated: "2026-10-12"
---

# Translate ZIP archives

A ZIP archive (`.zip`, up to **20 MB** and **200 files**) lets you translate a whole folder in one job. AI Glot unpacks it, translates every file with the same instruction and the same glossary, and rebuilds the archive with the same directories and file names.

> **Tip: Try it free**
>
> Drop an archive of up to 2 MB on the free [ZIP translator](https://ai-glot.com/file-formats/zip-translation) to try it with no account, five files a day. The app, the API and the CLI take archives up to 20 MB.

## What is translated, and what is left alone

| Translated                                            | Left as it was                                       |
| ----------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------- |
| Every translatable file inside, with one set of rules | The folder tree and every file name                  |
| Subfolders, with their paths preserved                | System files such as `.DS_Store`, which are left out |

## What you can ask

An instruction for an archive is an instruction for the format inside it. The examples are the ones from the format guides.

**A season of subtitles**

One glossary of names and terms for every episode.

Translate all the subtitle files into French in a natural, spoken tone.

**A docs folder**

Markdown files with their layout rebuilt.

Translate all the Markdown files into German. Leave code blocks, inline code and URLs alone.

**A locale folder**

Resource files translated together so the set stays in step.

Translate all the files into Spanish. Keep placeholders such as %s and %d unchanged and keep every key as it is.

**An album of lyrics**

One glossary for names and refrains.

Translate all the lyric files into Italian. Keep every time tag and keep each line short enough to sing.

## Good to know

- **One format per archive.** The files must share the same format and structure, for example the same columns or the same keys, because the whole batch is planned as one shape. A mixed archive is refused.
- **Limits.** Up to 200 files and 20 MB in total, with no ZIP nested inside. An archive is also judged on how many values its files add up to: a translation well under 20 MB can still be refused if the files hold too many values. Split it into smaller archives if that happens.
- **Languages.** Whether the job takes one language or several follows the format inside. Subtitles, Markdown and most localization files take one language per upload.
- **A file that cannot be read** fails the job loudly instead of being skipped.
- **What comes back.** A ZIP with the same folder structure and file names, each file translated. Nothing is renamed.

## Related

- The guides for the formats you put inside: [subtitles](/docs/formats/subtitles), [Markdown](/docs/formats/markdown), [HTML](/docs/formats/html), [JSON](/docs/formats/json) and [Java, INI, Fluent and PHP](/docs/formats/java-ini-fluent-php).
- [All file formats](/docs/formats)