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

CUE file extension

Cue Sheet File

Disk Image Files

GIF file extension

Graphical Interchange Format File

Raster Image Files

HQX file extension

BinHex 4.0 Encoded File

Encoded Files

ICS file extension

iCalendar File

Misc Files

JAR file extension

Java Archive File

Executable Files

JSP file extension

Java Server Page

Web Files

MDF file extension

Media Disc Image File

Disk Image Files

MID file extension

MIDI File

Audio Files

MP3 file extension

MP3 Audio File

Audio Files

MPA file extension

MPEG-2 Audio File

Audio Files

PPT file extension

PowerPoint Presentation

Data Files

SVG file extension

Scalable Vector Graphics File

Vector Image Files

VB file extension

VBScript File

Executable Files

XCODEPROJ file extension

Xcode Project

Developer Files