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

ASP file extension

Active Server Page

Web Files

BMP file extension

Bitmap Image File

Raster Image Files

COM file extension

DOS Command File

Executable Files

DWG file extension

AutoCAD Drawing Database File

CAD Files

EPS file extension

Encapsulated PostScript File

Vector Image Files

EXE file extension

Windows Executable File

Executable Files

MID file extension

MIDI File

Audio Files

MSI file extension

Windows Installer Package

Misc Files

PS file extension

PostScript File

Vector Image Files

RAR file extension

WinRAR Compressed Archive

Compressed Files

SWF file extension

Shockwave Flash Movie

Video Files

TMP file extension

Temporary File

Backup Files

3G2 file extension

3GPP2 Multimedia File

Video Files

3GP file extension

3GPP Multimedia File

Video Files