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

ACCDB file extension

Access 2007 Database File

Database Files

ASPX file extension

Active Server Page Extended File

Web Files

BMP file extension

Bitmap Image File

Raster Image Files

CRX file extension

Chrome Extension

Plugin Files

GADGET file extension

Windows Gadget

Executable Files

JPG file extension

JPEG Image

Raster Image Files

JS file extension

JavaScript File

Web Files

MIM file extension

Multi-Purpose Internet Mail Message File

Encoded Files

PS file extension

PostScript File

Vector Image Files

RA file extension

Real Audio File

Audio Files

RPM file extension

Red Hat Package Manager File

Compressed Files

SVG file extension

Scalable Vector Graphics File

Vector Image Files

TGA file extension

Targa Graphic

Raster Image Files

TMP file extension

Temporary File

Backup Files

ZIP file extension

Zipped File

Compressed Files