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

BAT file extension

DOS Batch File

Executable 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

LNK file extension

Windows File Shortcut

System Files

M4V file extension

iTunes Video File

Video Files

MSG file extension

Outlook Mail Message

Text Files

OTF file extension

OpenType Font

Font Files

PPT file extension

PowerPoint Presentation

Data Files

PRF file extension

Outlook Profile File

Settings Files

SRT file extension

SubRip Subtitle File

Video Files

TTF file extension

TrueType Font

Font Files

VCF file extension

vCard File

Data Files

ZIP file extension

Zipped File

Compressed Files