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

C file extension

C/C++ Source Code File

Developer Files

DBF file extension

Database File

Database Files

DESKTHEMEPACK file extension

Windows 8 Desktop Theme Pack File

System Files

DNG file extension

Digital Negative Image File

Camera Raw Files

FLV file extension

Flash Video File

Video Files

INI file extension

Windows Initialization File

Settings Files

MOV file extension

Apple QuickTime Movie

Video Files

MSI file extension

Windows Installer Package

Misc Files

PY file extension

Python Script

Developer Files

RAR file extension

WinRAR Compressed Archive

Compressed Files

SWF file extension

Shockwave Flash Movie

Video Files

TEX file extension

LaTeX Source Document

Text Files

TIFF file extension

Tagged Image File Format

Raster Image Files

VCF file extension

vCard File

Data Files

3DS file extension

3D Studio Scene

3D Image Files