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

ASF file extension

Advanced Systems Format File

Video Files

BAK file extension

Backup File

Backup Files

BMP file extension

Bitmap Image File

Raster Image Files

CBR file extension

Comic Book RAR Archive

Compressed Files

FNT file extension

Windows Font File

Font Files

GBR file extension

Gerber File

Data Files

ICO file extension

Icon File

System Files

JSP file extension

Java Server Page

Web Files

KMZ file extension

Google Earth Placemark File

GIS Files

LNK file extension

Windows File Shortcut

System Files

MPG file extension

MPEG Video File

Video Files

OTF file extension

OpenType Font

Font Files

PCT file extension

Picture File

Layout Files

TOAST file extension

Toast Disc Image

Disk Image Files

XLSX file extension

Microsoft Excel Open XML Spreadsheet

Spreadsheet Files