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

APK file extension

Android Package File

Executable Files

ASPX file extension

Active Server Page Extended File

Web Files

BIN file extension

Binary Disc Image

Disk Image Files

DOC# file extension

Microsoft Word Document

Text Files

EPUB file extension

Open eBook File

eBook Files

GBR file extension

Gerber File

Data Files

JPG file extension

JPEG Image

Raster Image Files

LNK file extension

Windows File Shortcut

System Files

MPA file extension

MPEG-2 Audio File

Audio Files

NES file extension

Nintendo (NES) ROM File

Game Files

PIF file extension

Program Information File

Executable Files

PLUGIN file extension

Mac OS X Plug-in

Plugin Files

PPS file extension

PowerPoint Slide Show

Data Files

PPT file extension

PowerPoint Presentation

Data Files

RA file extension

Real Audio File

Audio Files