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

ASF file extension

Advanced Systems Format File

Video Files

CER file extension

Internet Security Certificate

Web Files

CSV file extension

Comma Separated Values File

Data Files

DB file extension

Database File

Database Files

EPS file extension

Encapsulated PostScript File

Vector Image Files

INI file extension

Windows Initialization File

Settings Files

ISO file extension

Disc Image File

Disk Image Files

LNK file extension

Windows File Shortcut

System Files

PSPIMAGE file extension

PaintShop Pro Image

Raster Image Files

RA file extension

Real Audio File

Audio Files

SLN file extension

Visual Studio Solution File

Developer Files

TGA file extension

Targa Graphic

Raster Image Files

TORRENT file extension

BitTorrent File

Misc Files

TTF file extension

TrueType Font

Font Files

WPD file extension

WordPerfect Document

Text Files