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

APK file extension

Android Package File

Executable Files

DEB file extension

Debian Software Package

Compressed Files

DNG file extension

Digital Negative Image File

Camera Raw Files

DXF file extension

Drawing Exchange Format File

CAD Files

EPS file extension

Encapsulated PostScript File

Vector Image Files

FON file extension

Generic Font File

Font Files

JAR file extension

Java Archive File

Executable Files

LNK file extension

Windows File Shortcut

System Files

MSG file extension

Outlook Mail Message

Text Files

PHP file extension

PHP Source Code File

Web Files

PS file extension

PostScript File

Vector Image Files

TIFF file extension

Tagged Image File Format

Raster Image Files

TOAST file extension

Toast Disc Image

Disk Image Files

TORRENT file extension

BitTorrent File

Misc Files

VCXPROJ file extension

Visual C++ Project

Developer Files