A: Converting zip files to SB3 files makes it easy to share and collaborate on Scratch projects.
Use this if your file is called project.zip but you know it should be a Scratch project.
Note: This only works if the file was originally an .sb3 that was incorrectly renamed to .zip. If it is a genuine extracted folder, this will fail.
Need to convert a .zip containing Scratch project files into a .sb3 file? Use this simple, reliable converter to package Scratch project folders into a single .sb3 you can open in Scratch.
Features
How it works
Usage (quick)
Tips
Get started: upload a .zip with project.json, and the converter will return a .sb3 you can open in Scratch.
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The Secret Life of Scratch Files: How to Convert ZIP to SB3 (and Why You’d Want To)
Have you ever wondered what’s actually inside your Scratch projects? Whether you’re trying to recover a corrupted file, swap out assets manually, or just curious about the "guts" of your game, knowing the relationship between is a total game-changer. What exactly is an .SB3 file? Technically speaking, an file is just a renamed ZIP archive . If you were to peak inside, you’d find: project.json
: The "brain" of your project containing all the code and block instructions. Media Assets
: All your costumes (PNG/SVG) and sounds (WAV/MP3), usually saved with long, hexadecimal filenames. Why Convert ZIP to SB3? Manual Editing Zip To Sb3 Converter
: You can unzip a project to replace a sound file or image without ever opening the Scratch editor. Code Tweaking : Advanced users can edit the project.json
file directly to perform "hacks," like using hidden blocks or changing variables that are otherwise hard to reach. Recovering Assets
: If you can’t open a project in Scratch, you can rename it to
to extract your artwork and music so they aren't lost forever. Step-by-Step: How to Convert ZIP back to SB3
If you’ve finished editing the contents of your unzipped folder and want to turn it back into a playable Scratch project, follow these steps: 1. Compress the Contents
zip the folder itself. Instead, open the folder, select all the individual files (the file and all the asset files), right-click, and choose "Send to → Compressed (zipped) folder" (Windows) or "Compress" 2. Change the Extension Locate your newly created file. Right-click it and select . Delete the at the end and type
Note: If you don't see the ".zip" extension, you may need to enable "File name extensions" in your computer's folder settings. 3. Confirm the Change
Your computer will likely warn you that "changing a file extension might make it unusable." Click 4. Load and Play Scratch Editor File > Load from your computer
, and select your new file. Your project should now load with all your manual changes intact! Pro Tip: Automating the Process
If you find yourself doing this often, there are community tools designed to make it easier: TurboWarp Packager
: While primarily for turning Scratch projects into EXE or HTML files, it handles the complex parts of packaging projects seamlessly. sb3_extractor : A handy tool on
specifically for pulling assets out of your projects with ease. Are you looking to take your project even further? Check out our guide on converting SB3 files into standalone EXE files for professional sharing!
Is there a text version tool can convert text to scratch blocks? A: Converting zip files to SB3 files makes
Converting a ZIP file to an SB3 (Scratch 3.0) file is straightforward because an .sb3 file is technically just a renamed ZIP archive containing a project's assets and JSON data. You can perform this conversion manually or use specialized tools designed for Scratch project management. Manual Conversion Method
The most reliable way to "convert" a ZIP to SB3 without third-party software is by manually changing the file extension.
Prepare the Content: Ensure your ZIP file contains the mandatory project.json file and all associated assets (images/sounds) at the top level of the archive, not tucked inside a subfolder.
Rename the Extension: Right-click the file and change the extension from .zip to .sb3.
Note: If you don't see the extension, you may need to enable "File name extensions" in your operating system's view settings.
Load into Scratch: Open the Scratch Editor, go to File > Load from your computer, and select your newly renamed .sb3 file. Specialized Tools and Utilities
If you are looking for more than just a simple rename, several community-driven tools handle Scratch file packaging and extraction:
TurboWarp Packager: This is a highly recommended tool for converting Scratch projects into various formats, including standalone ZIP archives, HTML, or even executable files (.exe) for professional sharing.
SB3 Extractor: If your goal is the opposite (extracting high-quality assets from an .sb3 file), tools like the sb3_extractor on GitHub can automate the process and rename randomized asset files into more readable formats.
Unpackager: For projects originally packaged using TurboWarp or HTMLifier, the Unpackager tool can help revert those specialized formats back into a standard Scratch-compatible format. Summary Table: Conversion Approaches Requirement Manual Rename Quick fixes and standard project files project.json must be in the ZIP root TurboWarp Packager Creating professional distributables Converting to HTML/EXE/ZIP SB3 Extractor Organizing assets for other engines (Unity/Godot) Extracting SVG/PNG/Sound files
Are you looking to re-import a modified project into the Scratch editor, or are you trying to export assets for use in a different game engine? Convert .zip to .sb3? - Discuss Scratch
An SB3 file is essentially a renamed ZIP archive containing the code (as a project.json file), images, and sounds of a Scratch 3.0 project. Because of this shared structure, converting a ZIP to SB3—or vice versa—is a common task for developers who want to modify assets or fix corrupted project files. Key Conversion Methods
You can convert these files using specialized online tools or simple manual renaming: Note: This only works if the file was originally an
Online Dedicated Converters:Tools like ezyZip allow you to extract or package SB3 files directly in your browser. These tools are often preferred because they handle the compression without sending your data to a remote server, ensuring privacy.
Manual Renaming (Power Users):Since SB3 and ZIP are technically the same format, you can often convert them by simply changing the file extension.
ZIP to SB3: Ensure all project files (like project.json) are at the root level of the ZIP, then change the extension from .zip to .sb3.
SB3 to ZIP: Change .sb3 to .zip to open the file with standard decompression software like 7-Zip or WinRAR.
TurboWarp Packager:For those looking to convert Scratch projects into more than just a ZIP, the TurboWarp Packager can turn SB3 files into standalone executable files (.exe), HTML, or even ZIP archives formatted for web embedding. Technical Structure of an SB3 Archive
Understanding what's inside helps prevent errors during manual conversion:
project.json: A text-based file that contains the logic and instructions for all sprites and blocks.
Assets: Costumes (images) and sounds are stored as individual files named after their MD5 checksums (e.g., cd21...png).
Compatibility: Manual edits to the JSON file can sometimes corrupt the project, so it is recommended to keep backups before converting. Quick Comparison of Conversion Options Manual Renaming Online Tools (e.g., ezyZip) TurboWarp Packager Ease of Use Fast, but requires file extension visibility enabled. Very easy; drag-and-drop interface. Best for exporting to other formats. Privacy 100% (Local) High (Browser-based processing) High (Local/Browser) Best For Quick inspections. Non-technical users. Packaging games for distribution. json file inside an SB3 to change project variables? Convert .zip to .sb3? - Discuss Scratch
Before understanding the converter, we must understand the raw material. The .sb3 format (introduced with Scratch 3.0) replaced the older .sb and .sb2 formats.
An .sb3 file is actually a standard ZIP archive containing:
Because it is just a renamed ZIP file, any user can take an .sb3 file, change the extension to .zip, unzip it, and see the raw assets. The Zip to SB3 Converter reverses this process.