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

APP file extension

Mac OS X Application

Executable Files

CBR file extension

Comic Book RAR Archive

Compressed Files

DB file extension

Database File

Database Files

DWG file extension

AutoCAD Drawing Database File

CAD Files

DXF file extension

Drawing Exchange Format File

CAD Files

EXE file extension

Windows Executable File

Executable Files

FLA file extension

Adobe Flash Animation

Developer Files

GBR file extension

Gerber File

Data Files

GPX file extension

GPS Exchange File

GIS Files

JAR file extension

Java Archive File

Executable Files

JSP file extension

Java Server Page

Web Files

LNK file extension

Windows File Shortcut

System Files

MID file extension

MIDI File

Audio Files

MP3 file extension

MP3 Audio File

Audio Files

PCT file extension

Picture File

Layout Files