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

BAT file extension

DOS Batch File

Executable Files

CFG file extension

Configuration File

Settings Files

CUR file extension

Windows Cursor

System Files

DBF file extension

Database File

Database Files

GAM file extension

Saved Game File

Game Files

GBR file extension

Gerber File

Data Files

ODT file extension

OpenDocument Text Document

Text Files

PDB file extension

Program Database

Database Files

PHP file extension

PHP Source Code File

Web Files

PSPIMAGE file extension

PaintShop Pro Image

Raster Image Files

SLN file extension

Visual Studio Solution File

Developer Files

SVG file extension

Scalable Vector Graphics File

Vector Image Files

TIF file extension

Tagged Image File

Raster Image Files