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

BIN file extension

Binary Disc Image

Disk Image Files

CRX file extension

Chrome Extension

Plugin Files

CSS file extension

Cascading Style Sheet

Web Files

DMP file extension

Windows Memory Dump

System Files

GZ file extension

Gnu Zipped Archive

Compressed Files

KMZ file extension

Google Earth Placemark File

GIS Files

MIM file extension

Multi-Purpose Internet Mail Message File

Encoded Files

MP3 file extension

MP3 Audio File

Audio Files

RA file extension

Real Audio File

Audio Files

RM file extension

Real Media File

Video Files

RPM file extension

Red Hat Package Manager File

Compressed Files

TAR file extension

Consolidated Unix File Archive

Data Files

WMV file extension

Windows Media Video File

Video Files

XML file extension

XML File

Data Files