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

ASF file extension

Advanced Systems Format File

Video Files

ASP file extension

Active Server Page

Web Files

C file extension

C/C++ Source Code File

Developer Files

FLA file extension

Adobe Flash Animation

Developer Files

GZ file extension

Gnu Zipped Archive

Compressed Files

JAVA file extension

Java Source Code File

Developer Files

LNK file extension

Windows File Shortcut

System Files

MIM file extension

Multi-Purpose Internet Mail Message File

Encoded Files

PCT file extension

Picture File

Layout Files

PL file extension

Perl Script

Developer Files

PRF file extension

Outlook Profile File

Settings Files

RTF file extension

Rich Text Format File

Text Files

SAV file extension

Saved Game

Game Files

SVG file extension

Scalable Vector Graphics File

Vector Image Files