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

DB file extension

Database File

Database Files

GADGET file extension

Windows Gadget

Executable Files

GBR file extension

Gerber File

Data Files

IFF file extension

Interchange File Format

Audio Files

M4V file extension

iTunes Video File

Video Files

MDB file extension

Microsoft Access Database

Database Files

MDF file extension

Media Disc Image File

Disk Image Files

MOV file extension

Apple QuickTime Movie

Video Files

RA file extension

Real Audio File

Audio Files

SLN file extension

Visual Studio Solution File

Developer Files

TAR file extension

Consolidated Unix File Archive

Data Files

TMP file extension

Temporary File

Backup Files

VCF file extension

vCard File

Data Files

WSF file extension

Windows Script File

Executable Files

ZIPX file extension

Extended Zip File

Compressed Files