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

BIN file extension

Binary Disc Image

Disk Image Files

C file extension

C/C++ Source Code File

Developer Files

DNG file extension

Digital Negative Image File

Camera Raw Files

DRV file extension

Device Driver

System Files

GED file extension

GEDCOM Genealogy Data File

Data Files

H file extension

C/C++/Objective-C Header File

Developer Files

LNK file extension

Windows File Shortcut

System Files

MIM file extension

Multi-Purpose Internet Mail Message File

Encoded Files

PPTX file extension

PowerPoint Open XML Presentation

Data Files

PS file extension

PostScript File

Vector Image Files

PY file extension

Python Script

Developer Files

TAR file extension

Consolidated Unix File Archive

Data Files

TAX2012 file extension

TurboTax 2012 Tax Return

Data Files

TTF file extension

TrueType Font

Font Files