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

LUA file extension

Lua Source File

Developer Files

YUV file extension

YUV Encoded Image File

Raster Image Files

JS file extension

JavaScript File

Web Files

C file extension

C/C++ Source Code File

Developer Files

SVG file extension

Scalable Vector Graphics File

Vector Image Files

MOBI file extension

Mobipocket eBook

eBook Files

SRT file extension

SubRip Subtitle File

Video Files

COM file extension

DOS Command File

Executable Files

ICO file extension

Icon File

System Files

7Z file extension

7-Zip Compressed File

Compressed Files

SQL file extension

Structured Query Language Data File

Database Files

ROM file extension

N64 Game ROM File

Game Files

AZW file extension

Amazon Kindle eBook File

eBook Files

GAM file extension

Saved Game File

Game Files

RM file extension

Real Media File

Video Files