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

APK file extension

Android Package File

Executable Files

BIN file extension

Binary Disc Image

Disk Image Files

CFG file extension

Configuration File

Settings Files

CSR file extension

Certificate Signing Request File

Web Files

CUR file extension

Windows Cursor

System Files

DESKTHEMEPACK file extension

Windows 8 Desktop Theme Pack File

System Files

GIF file extension

Graphical Interchange Format File

Raster Image Files

IFF file extension

Interchange File Format

Audio Files

INI file extension

Windows Initialization File

Settings Files

JPG file extension

JPEG Image

Raster Image Files

PL file extension

Perl Script

Developer Files

PSPIMAGE file extension

PaintShop Pro Image

Raster Image Files

RA file extension

Real Audio File

Audio Files

RPM file extension

Red Hat Package Manager File

Compressed Files

SH file extension

Bash Shell Script

Developer Files