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

DB file extension

Database File

Database Files

GAM file extension

Saved Game File

Game Files

KML file extension

Keyhole Markup Language File

GIS Files

MAX file extension

3ds Max Scene File

3D Image Files

OTF file extension

OpenType Font

Font Files

PIF file extension

Program Information File

Executable Files

RA file extension

Real Audio File

Audio Files

SH file extension

Bash Shell Script

Developer Files

SVG file extension

Scalable Vector Graphics File

Vector Image Files

SYS file extension

Windows System File

System Files

THM file extension

Thumbnail Image File

Raster Image Files

TORRENT file extension

BitTorrent File

Misc Files

VCF file extension

vCard File

Data Files

WMA file extension

Windows Media Audio File

Audio Files

XCODEPROJ file extension

Xcode Project

Developer Files