What are the most common file types and file extensions?

Updated: 10/11/2021 by Figurer Promise

.txt file extension

There are hundreds of different file extensions and file types used with computers, and yous can find a complete list on our computer files and file extensions page. Still, information technology would be impossible for virtually people to memorize all file extensions and their associated programs. Below is a list of the virtually common file extensions, broken into categories by type of files.

Audio file formats by file extensions

There are several audio file formats, standards, and file extensions used today. Beneath is a listing of the near common audio file extensions.

  • .aif - AIF audio file
  • .cda - CD audio track file
  • .mid or .midi - MIDI sound file.
  • .mp3 - MP3 audio file
  • .mpa - MPEG-2 audio file
  • .ogg - Ogg Vorbis sound file
  • .wav - WAV file
  • .wma - WMA audio file
  • .wpl - Windows Media Player playlist

Compressed file extensions

compressed files

Most computer users are familiar with the .zip compressed files, but there are other types of compressed files. Below is a listing of the most common compressed file extensions.

  • .7z - 7-Zip compressed file
  • .arj - ARJ compressed file
  • .deb - Debian software parcel file
  • .pkg - Package file
  • .rar - RAR file
  • .rpm - Red Hat Package Managing director
  • .tar.gz - Tarball compressed file
  • .z - Z compressed file
  • .cipher - Zip 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 image file. Below are the nearly common disc image file extensions.

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

Data and database file extensions

A information file could be any file, simply for this list, we've listed the most common information files that chronicle to information used for a database, errors, data, 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 - Salvage file (e.g., game save file)
  • .sql - SQL database file
  • .tar - Linux / Unix tarball file annal
  • .xml - XML file

Electronic mail file extensions

E-mail message

Below is a list of the most common file extensions for electronic mail and related files.

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

Executable file extensions

java archive

The most common executable file are files ending with the .exe file extension. Withal, other files tin also be run past themselves or with the aid of an interpreter.

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

Font file extensions

Below are the most common file extensions used with fonts.

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

Image file formats by file extension

JPEG example

There are many unlike paradigm types and image file extensions that can be used when creating and saving images on the figurer. Below is a list of the most common image file extensions.

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

Internet-related file extensions

The Cyberspace is the most used resources on the reckoner and because spider web servers supply the files, there are many dissimilar file extensions utilized. Below are a list of the near common file extensions on the web.

Note

Image file extensions, video file extensions, and other extensions listed on this folio could also be included with these file extensions mentioned below.

  • .asp and .aspx - Active Server Page file
  • .cer - Cyberspace security certificate
  • .cfm - ColdFusion Markup file
  • .cgi or .pl - Perl script file
  • .css - Cascading Manner Canvas file
  • .htm and .html - HTML file
  • .js - JavaScript file
  • .jsp - Java Server Page file
  • .function - 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 virtually common file extensions associated with presentation programs.

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

Programming files by file extensions

Many file extensions are used for programs before they are compiled or used as scripts. Below is a list of the most common file extensions associated with programming.

Tip

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

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

Notation

At that place are hundreds of programming languages and the to a higher place list is just a small fraction of the most mutual file extentions.

Spreadsheet file formats by file extension

Below are the most mutual file extensions used to save spreadsheet files to a estimator.

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

System related file formats and file extensions

DLL file

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

Annotation

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

  • .bak - Backup file
  • .cab - Windows Cabinet file
  • .cfg - Configuration file
  • .cpl - Windows Control panel file
  • .cur - Windows cursor file
  • .dll - DLL file
  • .dmp - Dump file
  • .drv - Device commuter file
  • .icns - macOS 10 icon resource file
  • .ico - Icon file
  • .ini - Initialization file
  • .lnk - Windows shortcut file
  • .msi - Windows installer packet
  • .sys - Windows system file
  • .tmp - Temporary file

Video file formats past file extension

FLV Flash file extension

Today, several file types are associated with video files to add unlike types of pinch, compatibility, and DRM to video files. Below is a listing of the most commonly found video file extensions.

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

Word processor and text file formats by file extension

Creating text files and using a word processor is one of the most common tasks on a calculator. Below is the nearly common file extensions used with text files and documents.

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