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

FLA file extension

Adobe Flash Animation

Developer Files

GBR file extension

Gerber File

Data Files

GZ file extension

Gnu Zipped Archive

Compressed Files

IFF file extension

Interchange File Format

Audio Files

MDB file extension

Microsoft Access Database

Database Files

OBJ file extension

Wavefront 3D Object File

3D Image Files

PART file extension

Partially Downloaded File

Misc Files

PSD file extension

Adobe Photoshop Document

Raster Image Files

RAR file extension

WinRAR Compressed Archive

Compressed Files

SDF file extension

Standard Data File

Data Files

SVG file extension

Scalable Vector Graphics File

Vector Image Files

WMV file extension

Windows Media Video File

Video Files

XLS file extension

Excel Spreadsheet

Spreadsheet Files

3DM file extension

Rhino 3D Model

3D Image Files

3DS file extension

3D Studio Scene

3D Image Files