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

AI file extension

Adobe Illustrator File

Vector Image Files

CFG file extension

Configuration File

Settings Files

DB file extension

Database File

Database Files

EPS file extension

Encapsulated PostScript File

Vector Image Files

EPUB file extension

Open eBook File

eBook Files

FLA file extension

Adobe Flash Animation

Developer Files

GADGET file extension

Windows Gadget

Executable Files

GIF file extension

Graphical Interchange Format File

Raster Image Files

GZ file extension

Gnu Zipped Archive

Compressed Files

IFF file extension

Interchange File Format

Audio Files

PKG file extension

Mac OS X Installer Package

Compressed Files

PSD file extension

Adobe Photoshop Document

Raster Image Files

ROM file extension

N64 Game ROM File

Game Files

SLN file extension

Visual Studio Solution File

Developer Files

UUE file extension

Uuencoded File

Encoded Files