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

APK file extension

Android Package File

Executable Files

BAT file extension

DOS Batch File

Executable Files

CPL file extension

Windows Control Panel Item

System Files

CPP file extension

C++ Source Code File

Developer Files

DWG file extension

AutoCAD Drawing Database File

CAD Files

EPS file extension

Encapsulated PostScript File

Vector Image Files

FLA file extension

Adobe Flash Animation

Developer Files

ICS file extension

iCalendar File

Misc Files

KML file extension

Keyhole Markup Language File

GIS Files

MPG file extension

MPEG Video File

Video Files

PAGES file extension

Pages Document

Text Files

PY file extension

Python Script

Developer Files

RM file extension

Real Media File

Video Files

TIFF file extension

Tagged Image File Format

Raster Image Files