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

CUE file extension

Cue Sheet File

Disk Image Files

DNG file extension

Digital Negative Image File

Camera Raw Files

DRV file extension

Device Driver

System Files

EPUB file extension

Open eBook File

eBook Files

FLA file extension

Adobe Flash Animation

Developer Files

FON file extension

Generic Font File

Font Files

GADGET file extension

Windows Gadget

Executable Files

GPX file extension

GPS Exchange File

GIS Files

JPG file extension

JPEG Image

Raster Image Files

LNK file extension

Windows File Shortcut

System Files

PRF file extension

Outlook Profile File

Settings Files

PSD file extension

Adobe Photoshop Document

Raster Image Files

RA file extension

Real Audio File

Audio Files

RM file extension

Real Media File

Video Files

YUV file extension

YUV Encoded Image File

Raster Image Files