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

BIN file extension

Binary Disc Image

Disk Image Files

CGI file extension

Common Gateway Interface Script

Executable Files

CPL file extension

Windows Control Panel Item

System Files

DAT file extension

Data File

Data Files

DB file extension

Database File

Database Files

DESKTHEMEPACK file extension

Windows 8 Desktop Theme Pack File

System Files

FLV file extension

Flash Video File

Video Files

FON file extension

Generic Font File

Font Files

IFF file extension

Interchange File Format

Audio Files

MPA file extension

MPEG-2 Audio File

Audio Files

RAR file extension

WinRAR Compressed Archive

Compressed Files

SAV file extension

Saved Game

Game Files

TAR file extension

Consolidated Unix File Archive

Data Files

TIFF file extension

Tagged Image File Format

Raster Image Files

VB file extension

VBScript File

Executable Files