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

ASPX file extension

Active Server Page Extended File

Web Files

CBR file extension

Comic Book RAR Archive

Compressed Files

CFG file extension

Configuration File

Settings Files

CUR file extension

Windows Cursor

System Files

FNT file extension

Windows Font File

Font Files

FON file extension

Generic Font File

Font Files

JSP file extension

Java Server Page

Web Files

PPS file extension

PowerPoint Slide Show

Data Files

RA file extension

Real Audio File

Audio Files

SVG file extension

Scalable Vector Graphics File

Vector Image Files

SWF file extension

Shockwave Flash Movie

Video Files

TEX file extension

LaTeX Source Document

Text Files

3DM file extension

Rhino 3D Model

3D Image Files

3DS file extension

3D Studio Scene

3D Image Files

3G2 file extension

3GPP2 Multimedia File

Video Files