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

BAT file extension

DOS Batch File

Executable Files

CGI file extension

Common Gateway Interface Script

Executable Files

DB file extension

Database File

Database Files

DBF file extension

Database File

Database Files

DWG file extension

AutoCAD Drawing Database File

CAD Files

FNT file extension

Windows Font File

Font Files

GED file extension

GEDCOM Genealogy Data File

Data Files

H file extension

C/C++/Objective-C Header File

Developer Files

JSP file extension

Java Server Page

Web Files

LUA file extension

Lua Source File

Developer Files

PIF file extension

Program Information File

Executable Files

RA file extension

Real Audio File

Audio Files

SQL file extension

Structured Query Language Data File

Database Files

TGA file extension

Targa Graphic

Raster Image Files

XLR file extension

Works Spreadsheet

Spreadsheet Files