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

AI file extension

Adobe Illustrator File

Vector Image Files

ASF file extension

Advanced Systems Format File

Video Files

CFM file extension

ColdFusion Markup File

Web Files

CRX file extension

Chrome Extension

Plugin Files

DB file extension

Database File

Database Files

DNG file extension

Digital Negative Image File

Camera Raw Files

GPX file extension

GPS Exchange File

GIS Files

GZ file extension

Gnu Zipped Archive

Compressed Files

ICO file extension

Icon File

System Files

LNK file extension

Windows File Shortcut

System Files

M file extension

Objective-C Implementation File

Developer Files

PDB file extension

Program Database

Database Files

SRT file extension

SubRip Subtitle File

Video Files

TARGZ file extension

Compressed Tarball File

Compressed Files

TMP file extension

Temporary File

Backup Files