What are the most common file types and file extensions?

Updated: 04/09/2024 by Computer Hope
.txt file extension

There are hundreds of file extensions and file types used with computers, and a complete list is on our computer files and file extensions page. However, it would be impossible for most people to memorize all file extensions and their associated programs. The lists below contain the most common file extensions, broken into categories by file type.

Audio file formats by file extensions

There are several audio file formats, standards, and file extensions used today. The following list contains common audio file extensions.

  • .aif - AIF audio file
  • .cda - CD (compact disc) audio track file
  • .mid or .midi - MIDI (musical instrument digital interface) audio file.
  • .mp3 - MP3 audio file
  • .mpa - MPEG-2 audio file
  • .ogg - Ogg Vorbis audio file
  • .wav - WAV file
  • .wma - WMA (Windows Media Audio) audio file
  • .wpl - Windows Media Player playlist

What is the most popular audio file extension?

The MP3 file extension is the most common audio file extensions you're likely to encounter.

Compressed file extensions

compressed files

Most computer users are familiar with the .zip compressed files, but there are other types of compressed files. The following list contains the common ones.

What is the most popular compressed file extension?

The zip file extension is the most commonly found and used compressed file extension for Microsoft Windows users.

Disc and media file extensions

When making an image of a disc or other media, all the contained files are saved to an image file. The following section lists common disc image file extensions.

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

What is the most popular disc file extension?

The iso file extension is the most commonly found and used file extension for images of discs.

Data and database file extensions

The following list contains common data files related to databases, errors, information, importing, and exporting.

E-mail file extensions

E-mail message

This section contains some common file extensions related to e-mail.

What is the most popular e-mail file extension?

The msg file extension is the most commonly found and used file extension for e-mail files.

Executable file extensions

java archive

For Microsoft Windows users, the most common executable files are those ending with the .exe file extension. However, there are other file extensions capable of running a program and are listed below.

Note

Script files requiring an interpreter to be executed are listed in the programming file extensions section.

What is the most popular executable file extension?

The exe file extension is the most commonly found and used executable file extension for Microsoft Windows users.

Font file extensions

Below are the most common file extensions associated 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 file extensions used when creating and saving images on the computer. The following section lists the most common.

  • .ai - Adobe Illustrator file
  • .bmp - Bitmap image
  • .gif - GIF (graphics interchange format) image
  • .ico - Icon file
  • .jpeg or .jpg - JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) image
  • .png - PNG (portable network graphics) image
  • .ps - PostScript file
  • .psd - PSD (Photoshop document) image
  • .scr - Windows screensaver file
  • .svg - Scalable Vector Graphics file
  • .tif or .tiff - TIFF (tagged image file format) image
  • .webp - WebP image.

What is the most popular image file extension?

The jpg file extension is the most commonly found and used image file extension.

Internet-related file extensions

Map of the Internet

The Internet is a popular resource on the computer and because web servers supply the files, there are many file extensions utilized. This section contains the common file extensions used on the web.

Note

Image and video file extensions could also be included in this category.

What is the most popular Internet-related file extension?

The htm file extension is the most commonly found and used Internet-related file extension.

Presentation file formats by file extension

Today, there are multiple programs used to create a presentation. The following programs and file extensions are common file extensions associated with presentation programs.

  • .key - Keynote presentation
  • .odp - OpenOffice Impress presentation file.
  • .pps - PowerPoint slide show
  • .ppt - PowerPoint 97 - 2003 presentation.
  • .pptx - PowerPoint 2007 and later presentation.

What is the most popular presentation file extension?

The ppt and pptx file extensions are the most commonly found and used presentation file extensions.

Programming files by file extensions

Many file extensions are used for programs before being compiled or used as scripts. This section contains many common file extensions associated with programming.

Note

To run a script file, an interpreter must be installed. For example, on a Windows computer, a .py file cannot run without having Python installed.

Tip

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

  • .apk - Android package file
  • .c - C and C++ source code file
  • .cgi and .pl - Perl script file.
  • .class - Java class file
  • .cpp - C++ source code file
  • .cs - Visual C# source code file
  • .h - C, C++, and Objective-C header file
  • .jar - Java Archive file
  • .java - Java Source code file
  • .php - PHP script file.
  • .py - Python script file.
  • .sh - Bash shell script
  • .swift - Swift source code file
  • .vb - Visual Basic file
Note

There are hundreds of programming languages; the list above only displays a small fraction of them.

Spreadsheet file formats by file extension

This section lists common file extensions used to save spreadsheet files.

  • .ods - OpenOffice Calc spreadsheet file.
  • .xls - Microsoft Excel 97 - 2003 file.
  • .xlsm - Microsoft Excel file with macros.
  • .xlsx - Microsoft Excel 2007 and later file.

What is the most popular spreadsheet file extension?

The xls and xlsx file extensions are the most commonly found and used spreadsheet file extensions.

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 common than others. Here are some of them.

Note

The executable file extensions could also be included in this list.

Video file formats by file extension

FLV Flash file extension

Today, there are many file types associated with videos, many of which add utility. For example, some perform compression, enhance compatibility, or add DRM (digital rights management) to video files. Below are common video file extensions.

What is the most popular video file extension?

Today, the MP4 file extension is the most commonly found and used video file extension.

Word processor and text file formats by file extension

Creating text files and using a word processor is a common task on a computer. This section lists common file extensions used with text files and documents.

What is the most popular word processor file extension?

The doc and docx file extensions are the most commonly found and used word processor file extensions.