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

CRDOWNLOAD file extension

Chrome Partially Downloaded File

Misc Files

DB file extension

Database File

Database Files

DOC file extension

Microsoft Word Document

Text Files

GADGET file extension

Windows Gadget

Executable Files

HQX file extension

BinHex 4.0 Encoded File

Encoded Files

JPG file extension

JPEG Image

Raster Image Files

JS file extension

JavaScript File

Web Files

KEYCHAIN file extension

Mac OS X Keychain File

Data Files

PSPIMAGE file extension

PaintShop Pro Image

Raster Image Files

RM file extension

Real Media File

Video Files

TIF file extension

Tagged Image File

Raster Image Files

TORRENT file extension

BitTorrent File

Misc Files

WAV file extension

WAVE Audio File

Audio Files

XML file extension

XML File

Data Files

3DS file extension

3D Studio Scene

3D Image Files