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

AI file extension

Adobe Illustrator File

Vector Image Files

COM file extension

DOS Command File

Executable Files

CPL file extension

Windows Control Panel Item

System Files

DEM file extension

Video Game Demo File

Game Files

FON file extension

Generic Font File

Font Files

KEYCHAIN file extension

Mac OS X Keychain File

Data Files

M file extension

Objective-C Implementation File

Developer Files

M3U file extension

Media Playlist File

Audio Files

PRF file extension

Outlook Profile File

Settings Files

RSS file extension

Rich Site Summary

Web Files

TEX file extension

LaTeX Source Document

Text Files

TOAST file extension

Toast Disc Image

Disk Image Files

VCF file extension

vCard File

Data Files

WAV file extension

WAVE Audio File

Audio Files

ZIPX file extension

Extended Zip File

Compressed Files