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

SQL file extension

Structured Query Language Data File

Database Files

DEM file extension

Video Game Demo File

Game Files

DMP file extension

Windows Memory Dump

System Files

TIFF file extension

Tagged Image File Format

Raster Image Files

SVG file extension

Scalable Vector Graphics File

Vector Image Files

SAV file extension

Saved Game

Game Files

CSR file extension

Certificate Signing Request File

Web Files

DWG file extension

AutoCAD Drawing Database File

CAD Files

7Z file extension

7-Zip Compressed File

Compressed Files

VCXPROJ file extension

Visual C++ Project

Developer Files

RM file extension

Real Media File

Video Files

CER file extension

Internet Security Certificate

Web Files

SH file extension

Bash Shell Script

Developer Files

TORRENT file extension

BitTorrent File

Misc Files

RA file extension

Real Audio File

Audio Files