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

ASF file extension

Advanced Systems Format File

Video Files

CLASS file extension

Java Class File

Developer Files

COM file extension

DOS Command File

Executable Files

M3U file extension

Media Playlist File

Audio Files

MPG file extension

MPEG Video File

Video Files

PPS file extension

PowerPoint Slide Show

Data Files

RAR file extension

WinRAR Compressed Archive

Compressed Files

SVG file extension

Scalable Vector Graphics File

Vector Image Files

TGA file extension

Targa Graphic

Raster Image Files

VB file extension

VBScript File

Executable Files

WAV file extension

WAVE Audio File

Audio Files

XLR file extension

Works Spreadsheet

Spreadsheet Files

YUV file extension

YUV Encoded Image File

Raster Image Files

ZIP file extension

Zipped File

Compressed Files

3DS file extension

3D Studio Scene

3D Image Files