What are the most common file types and file extensions?

Updated: 10/11/2021 by Estimator Hope

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There are hundreds of different file extensions and file types used with computers, and yous tin notice a complete list on our estimator files and file extensions page. However, it would be incommunicable for near people to memorize all file extensions and their associated programs. Below is a listing of the most common file extensions, broken into categories by type of files.

Audio file formats past file extensions

At that place are several audio file formats, standards, and file extensions used today. Below is a list of the most mutual audio file extensions.

  • .aif - AIF audio file
  • .cda - CD sound track file
  • .mid or .midi - MIDI sound file.
  • .mp3 - MP3 audio file
  • .mpa - MPEG-two audio file
  • .ogg - Ogg Vorbis sound file
  • .wav - WAV file
  • .wma - WMA audio file
  • .wpl - Windows Media Role player playlist

Compressed file extensions

compressed files

Near estimator users are familiar with the .zip compressed files, simply there are other types of compressed files. Below is a list of the well-nigh common compressed file extensions.

  • .7z - 7-Zippo compressed file
  • .arj - ARJ compressed file
  • .deb - Debian software package file
  • .pkg - Package file
  • .rar - RAR file
  • .rpm - Red Hat Bundle Manager
  • .tar.gz - Tarball compressed file
  • .z - Z compressed file
  • .zip - Nada compressed file

Disc and media file extensions

When making an image of a disc or other media, all of the independent files are saved to an epitome file. Below are the most mutual disc image file extensions.

  • .bin - Binary disc epitome
  • .dmg - macOS X disk image
  • .iso - ISO disc image
  • .toast - Toast disc image
  • .vcd - Virtual CD

Data and database file extensions

A data file could be whatsoever file, but for this list, we've listed the near common data files that relate to data used for a database, errors, information, importing, and exporting.

  • .csv - Comma separated value file
  • .dat - Data file
  • .db or .dbf - Database file
  • .log - Log file
  • .mdb - Microsoft Access database file
  • .sav - Salve file (e.yard., game save file)
  • .sql - SQL database file
  • .tar - Linux / Unix tarball file archive
  • .xml - XML file

E-mail file extensions

E-mail

Below is a list of the nigh common file extensions for eastward-mail and related files.

  • .electronic mail - Outlook Express email bulletin file.
  • .eml - Email message file from multiple e-postal service clients, including Gmail.
  • .emlx - Apple Mail electronic mail file.
  • .msg - Microsoft Outlook electronic mail message file.
  • .often - Microsoft Outlook e-mail template file.
  • .ost - Microsoft Outlook offline electronic mail storage file.
  • .pst - Microsoft Outlook electronic mail storage file.
  • .vcf - E-mail contact file.

Executable file extensions

java archive

The most mutual executable file are files catastrophe with the .exe file extension. However, other files can also be run by themselves or with the assistance of an interpreter.

  • .apk - Android package file
  • .bat - Batch file
  • .bin - Binary file
  • .cgi or .pl - Perl script file
  • .com - MS-DOS control file
  • .exe - Executable file
  • .gadget - Windows gadget
  • .jar - Java Archive file
  • .msi - Windows installer parcel
  • .py - Python file
  • .wsf - Windows Script File

Font file extensions

Beneath are the well-nigh common file extensions used with fonts.

  • .fnt - Windows font file
  • .fon - Generic font file
  • .otf - Open type font file
  • .ttf - TrueType font file

Prototype file formats by file extension

JPEG example

At that place are many dissimilar image types and image file extensions that tin can be used when creating and saving images on the computer. Below is a list of the almost common prototype file extensions.

  • .ai - Adobe Illustrator file
  • .bmp - Bitmap image
  • .gif - GIF image
  • .ico - Icon file
  • .jpeg or .jpg - JPEG epitome
  • .png - PNG image
  • .ps - PostScript file
  • .psd - PSD image
  • .svg - Scalable Vector Graphics file
  • .tif or .tiff - TIFF image

Cyberspace-related file extensions

The Internet is the well-nigh used resources on the computer and because spider web servers supply the files, there are many unlike file extensions utilized. Below are a list of the most common file extensions on the web.

Note

Image file extensions, video file extensions, and other extensions listed on this page could likewise exist included with these file extensions mentioned below.

  • .asp and .aspx - Active Server Folio file
  • .cer - Internet security document
  • .cfm - ColdFusion Markup file
  • .cgi or .pl - Perl script file
  • .css - Cascading Mode Sheet file
  • .htm and .html - HTML file
  • .js - JavaScript file
  • .jsp - Java Server Page file
  • .part - Partially downloaded file
  • .php - PHP file
  • .py - Python file
  • .rss - RSS file
  • .xhtml - XHTML file

Presentation file formats by file extension

Today, in that location are a few programs that can create a presentation. Below is a list of the nearly common file extensions associated with presentation programs.

  • .key - Keynote presentation
  • .odp - OpenOffice Impress presentation file
  • .pps - PowerPoint slide prove
  • .ppt - PowerPoint presentation
  • .pptx - PowerPoint Open up XML presentation

Programming files past file extensions

Many file extensions are used for programs earlier they are compiled or used every bit scripts. Beneath is a listing of the most common file extensions associated with programming.

Tip

Many of the Internet-related file extensions could as well be included with these file extensions mentioned below.

  • .c - C and C++ source code file
  • .cgi and .pl - Perl script file.
  • .class - Java form file
  • .cpp - C++ source code file
  • .cs - Visual C# source code file
  • .h - C, C++, and Objective-C header file
  • .coffee - Coffee Source code file
  • .php - PHP script file.
  • .py - Python script file.
  • .sh - Bash shell script
  • .swift - Swift source lawmaking file
  • .vb - Visual Bones file

Note

There are hundreds of programming languages and the above list is only a small-scale fraction of the nearly mutual file extentions.

Spreadsheet file formats by file extension

Beneath are the nearly common file extensions used to save spreadsheet files to a computer.

  • .ods - OpenOffice Calc spreadsheet file
  • .xls - Microsoft Excel file
  • .xlsm - Microsoft Excel file with macros
  • .xlsx - Microsoft Excel Open XML spreadsheet file

Organization related file formats and file extensions

DLL

Like all other programs, your operating organisation uses files and has file extensions that are more common than others. Below is a listing of the most common file extensions used on operating systems.

Notation

The executable file extensions and all other files could also be included in this listing.

  • .bak - Backup file
  • .cab - Windows Chiffonier file
  • .cfg - Configuration file
  • .cpl - Windows Command console file
  • .cur - Windows cursor file
  • .dll - DLL file
  • .dmp - Dump file
  • .drv - Device driver file
  • .icns - macOS Ten icon resources file
  • .ico - Icon file
  • .ini - Initialization file
  • .lnk - Windows shortcut file
  • .msi - Windows installer package
  • .sys - Windows system file
  • .tmp - Temporary file

Video file formats by file extension

Flash

Today, several file types are associated with video files to add different types of compression, compatibility, and DRM to video files. Below is a list of the most commonly establish video file extensions.

  • .3g2 - 3GPP2 multimedia file
  • .3gp - 3GPP multimedia file
  • .avi - AVI file
  • .flv - Adobe Wink file
  • .h264 - H.264 video file
  • .m4v - Apple MP4 video file
  • .mkv - Matroska Multimedia Container
  • .mov - Apple QuickTime movie file
  • .mp4 - MPEG4 video file
  • .mpg or .mpeg - MPEG video file
  • .rm - RealMedia file
  • .swf - Shockwave flash file
  • .vob - DVD Video Object
  • .wmv - Windows Media Video file

Discussion processor and text file formats by file extension

Creating text files and using a discussion processor is ane of the most common tasks on a figurer. Below is the most common file extensions used with text files and documents.

  • .doc and .docx - Microsoft Word file
  • .odt - OpenOffice Writer certificate file
  • .pdf - PDF file
  • .rtf - Rich Text Format
  • .tex - A LaTeX document file
  • .txt - Plain text file
  • .wpd - WordPerfect document