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

AIF file extension

Audio Interchange File Format

Audio Files

AZW file extension

Amazon Kindle eBook File

eBook Files

CAB file extension

Windows Cabinet File

System Files

DBF file extension

Database File

Database Files

EPUB file extension

Open eBook File

eBook Files

FLV file extension

Flash Video File

Video Files

FNT file extension

Windows Font File

Font Files

GPX file extension

GPS Exchange File

GIS Files

JAR file extension

Java Archive File

Executable Files

LUA file extension

Lua Source File

Developer Files

PRF file extension

Outlook Profile File

Settings Files

SWF file extension

Shockwave Flash Movie

Video Files

VCD file extension

Virtual CD

Disk Image Files

VCXPROJ file extension

Visual C++ Project

Developer Files

ZIP file extension

Zipped File

Compressed Files