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

BMP file extension

Bitmap Image File

Raster Image Files

C file extension

C/C++ Source Code File

Developer Files

COM file extension

DOS Command File

Executable Files

CUR file extension

Windows Cursor

System Files

DB file extension

Database File

Database Files

DTD file extension

Document Type Definition File

Developer Files

EPS file extension

Encapsulated PostScript File

Vector Image Files

JAR file extension

Java Archive File

Executable Files

JS file extension

JavaScript File

Web Files

OBJ file extension

Wavefront 3D Object File

3D Image Files

PSPIMAGE file extension

PaintShop Pro Image

Raster Image Files

SWF file extension

Shockwave Flash Movie

Video Files

TMP file extension

Temporary File

Backup Files

WMV file extension

Windows Media Video File

Video Files

XLR file extension

Works Spreadsheet

Spreadsheet Files