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

CPP file extension

C++ Source Code File

Developer Files

DB file extension

Database File

Database Files

EPS file extension

Encapsulated PostScript File

Vector Image Files

GAM file extension

Saved Game File

Game Files

GBR file extension

Gerber File

Data Files

ICO file extension

Icon File

System Files

KMZ file extension

Google Earth Placemark File

GIS Files

PHP file extension

PHP Source Code File

Web Files

RAR file extension

WinRAR Compressed Archive

Compressed Files

RM file extension

Real Media File

Video Files

SAV file extension

Saved Game

Game Files

THM file extension

Thumbnail Image File

Raster Image Files

TTF file extension

TrueType Font

Font Files

VCF file extension

vCard File

Data Files