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

CBR file extension

Comic Book RAR Archive

Compressed Files

CSV file extension

Comma Separated Values File

Data Files

DMP file extension

Windows Memory Dump

System Files

EPS file extension

Encapsulated PostScript File

Vector Image Files

FLV file extension

Flash Video File

Video Files

FNT file extension

Windows Font File

Font Files

JSP file extension

Java Server Page

Web Files

MAX file extension

3ds Max Scene File

3D Image Files

PAGES file extension

Pages Document

Text Files

PS file extension

PostScript File

Vector Image Files

RM file extension

Real Media File

Video Files

VCXPROJ file extension

Visual C++ Project

Developer Files

ZIPX file extension

Extended Zip File

Compressed Files

3DS file extension

3D Studio Scene

3D Image Files