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

CSR file extension

Certificate Signing Request File

Web Files

DNG file extension

Digital Negative Image File

Camera Raw Files

DWG file extension

AutoCAD Drawing Database File

CAD Files

EPS file extension

Encapsulated PostScript File

Vector Image Files

FLV file extension

Flash Video File

Video Files

FNT file extension

Windows Font File

Font Files

GAM file extension

Saved Game File

Game Files

ICNS file extension

Mac OS X Icon Resource File

System Files

PPS file extension

PowerPoint Slide Show

Data Files

SQL file extension

Structured Query Language Data File

Database Files

TEX file extension

LaTeX Source Document

Text Files

THM file extension

Thumbnail Image File

Raster Image Files

VOB file extension

DVD Video Object File

Video Files

WSF file extension

Windows Script File

Executable Files

XCODEPROJ file extension

Xcode Project

Developer Files