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

ASX file extension

Microsoft ASF Redirector File

Video Files

COM file extension

DOS Command File

Executable Files

EPS file extension

Encapsulated PostScript File

Vector Image Files

HQX file extension

BinHex 4.0 Encoded File

Encoded Files

M4V file extension

iTunes Video File

Video Files

MDF file extension

Media Disc Image File

Disk Image Files

MPG file extension

MPEG Video File

Video Files

PAGES file extension

Pages Document

Text Files

RAR file extension

WinRAR Compressed Archive

Compressed Files

RM file extension

Real Media File

Video Files

ROM file extension

N64 Game ROM File

Game Files

SVG file extension

Scalable Vector Graphics File

Vector Image Files

TEX file extension

LaTeX Source Document

Text Files

UUE file extension

Uuencoded File

Encoded Files

VCXPROJ file extension

Visual C++ Project

Developer Files