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

CPP file extension

C++ Source Code File

Developer Files

CRX file extension

Chrome Extension

Plugin Files

CS file extension

Visual C# Source Code File

Developer Files

DB file extension

Database File

Database Files

FLA file extension

Adobe Flash Animation

Developer Files

FLV file extension

Flash Video File

Video Files

INI file extension

Windows Initialization File

Settings Files

MIM file extension

Multi-Purpose Internet Mail Message File

Encoded Files

PHP file extension

PHP Source Code File

Web Files

PNG file extension

Portable Network Graphic

Raster Image Files

ROM file extension

N64 Game ROM File

Game Files

SVG file extension

Scalable Vector Graphics File

Vector Image Files

TGA file extension

Targa Graphic

Raster Image Files

TMP file extension

Temporary File

Backup Files

TTF file extension

TrueType Font

Font Files