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

AVI file extension

Audio Video Interleave File

Video Files

BAT file extension

DOS Batch File

Executable Files

CBR file extension

Comic Book RAR Archive

Compressed Files

CPL file extension

Windows Control Panel Item

System Files

CPP file extension

C++ Source Code File

Developer Files

CSR file extension

Certificate Signing Request File

Web Files

HTM file extension

Hypertext Markup Language File

Web Files

HTML file extension

Hypertext Markup Language File

Web Files

PPS file extension

PowerPoint Slide Show

Data Files

SQL file extension

Structured Query Language Data File

Database Files

SVG file extension

Scalable Vector Graphics File

Vector Image Files

TMP file extension

Temporary File

Backup Files

TTF file extension

TrueType Font

Font Files

WMA file extension

Windows Media Audio File

Audio Files

ZIP file extension

Zipped File

Compressed Files