File extensions – definition and basic information


File extensions are the integral parts of the files that are on each computer. Often, when working on a computer, we encounter a wide range of files, such as docx, ppt, part, mp3 or rmvb. We realize that they are there – but we often do not know what they are for on our computer.

File extension, also known as the filename extension is a suffix added to the name of a computer file, usually consisting of a number of characters placed after the last dot in the filename, which gives us information about its coding. In other words a file extension is a file format. It allows the operating system (e.g. Windows) to recognize what program it should try to open the file.

In the table below you will find a random selection of popular file extensions.


File extension The full name of the file Category

BAT file extension

DOS Batch File

Executable Files

BIN file extension

Binary Disc Image

Disk Image Files

BMP file extension

Bitmap Image File

Raster Image Files

CBR file extension

Comic Book RAR Archive

Compressed Files

CRDOWNLOAD file extension

Chrome Partially Downloaded File

Misc Files

DB file extension

Database File

Database Files

DWG file extension

AutoCAD Drawing Database File

CAD Files

NES file extension

Nintendo (NES) ROM File

Game Files

PDF file extension

Portable Document Format File

Layout Files

PIF file extension

Program Information File

Executable Files

RPM file extension

Red Hat Package Manager File

Compressed Files

SVG file extension

Scalable Vector Graphics File

Vector Image Files

TOAST file extension

Toast Disc Image

Disk Image Files

XLR file extension

Works Spreadsheet

Spreadsheet Files

XML file extension

XML File

Data Files