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

DBF file extension

Database File

Database Files

DWG file extension

AutoCAD Drawing Database File

CAD Files

DXF file extension

Drawing Exchange Format File

CAD Files

GED file extension

GEDCOM Genealogy Data File

Data Files

IFF file extension

Interchange File Format

Audio Files

MSG file extension

Outlook Mail Message

Text Files

PRF file extension

Outlook Profile File

Settings Files

RTF file extension

Rich Text Format File

Text Files

SAV file extension

Saved Game

Game Files

SQL file extension

Structured Query Language Data File

Database Files

TGA file extension

Targa Graphic

Raster Image Files

VCF file extension

vCard File

Data Files

WMV file extension

Windows Media Video File

Video Files

3DM file extension

Rhino 3D Model

3D Image Files