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

WPS file extension

Microsoft Works Word Processor Document

Text Files

DOC# file extension

Microsoft Word Document

Text Files

7Z file extension

7-Zip Compressed File

Compressed Files

RA file extension

Real Audio File

Audio Files

DB file extension

Database File

Database Files

XLR file extension

Works Spreadsheet

Spreadsheet Files

CRX file extension

Chrome Extension

Plugin Files

YUV file extension

YUV Encoded Image File

Raster Image Files

TIF file extension

Tagged Image File

Raster Image Files

LNK file extension

Windows File Shortcut

System Files

FLV file extension

Flash Video File

Video Files

TIFF file extension

Tagged Image File Format

Raster Image Files

JPG file extension

JPEG Image

Raster Image Files

SWF file extension

Shockwave Flash Movie

Video Files

CSS file extension

Cascading Style Sheet

Web Files