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

EPUB file extension

Open eBook File

eBook Files

GZ file extension

Gnu Zipped Archive

Compressed Files

ICO file extension

Icon File

System Files

IFF file extension

Interchange File Format

Audio Files

M4A file extension

MPEG-4 Audio File

Audio Files

MIM file extension

Multi-Purpose Internet Mail Message File

Encoded Files

MSI file extension

Windows Installer Package

Misc Files

PAGES file extension

Pages Document

Text Files

PIF file extension

Program Information File

Executable Files

PPS file extension

PowerPoint Slide Show

Data Files

RPM file extension

Red Hat Package Manager File

Compressed Files

SVG file extension

Scalable Vector Graphics File

Vector Image Files

SYS file extension

Windows System File

System Files

TAR file extension

Consolidated Unix File Archive

Data Files

TARGZ file extension

Compressed Tarball File

Compressed Files