List of file formats

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.

This is a list of file formats used by computers, organized by type. Filename extension is usually noted in parentheses if they differ from the file format's name or abbreviation. Many operating systems do not limit filenames to one extension shorter than 4 characters, as was common with some operating systems that supported the File Allocation Table (FAT) file system. Examples of operating systems that do not impose this limit include Unix-like systems, and Microsoft Windows NT, 95-98, and ME which have no three character limit on extensions for 32-bit or 64-bit applications on file systems other than pre-Windows 95 and Windows NT 3.5 versions of the FAT file system. Some filenames are given extensions longer than three characters. While MS-DOS and NT always treat the suffix after the last period in a file's name as its extension, in UNIX-like systems, the final period does not necessarily mean that the text after the last period is the file's extension.[1]

Some file formats, such as .txt or .text, may be listed multiple times.

Archive and compressed

Main article: List of archive formats
  • ?Q? – files that are compressed, often by the SQ program.
  • 7z – 7-zip compressed file
  • A – an external file extension for C/C++
  • AAC – Advanced Audio Coding
  • ABB – Android App Bundle – is the Android (and Android TV) application publishing file format (required by Google Play) taking over from:
  • ACE – ace: ACE compressed file
  • ALZ – ALZip compressed file
  • APK – For Android see ABB/APK above (APK/Android apps also usable in Windows 11); The Alpine Linux distribution also use .apk files as a package format but then with un unrelated definition as in Android. They are often called "a-packs".
  • APPX – Microsoft Application Package (.appx)
  • APP – HarmonyOS APP Packs file format for HarmonyOS apps installable from AppGallery and third party OpenHarmony based app distribution stores.
  • AT3 – Sony's UMD data compression
  • ARC – pre-Zip data compression
  • ARC – Nintendo U8 Archive (mostly Yaz0 compressed)
  • ARJ – ARJ compressed file
  • ASS, SSA – ASS (also SSA): a subtitles file created by Aegisub, a video typesetting application (also a Halo game engine file)
  • B – (B file) Similar to .a, but less compressed.
  • BA – BA: Scifer Archive (.ba), Scifer External Archive Type
  • BIN – compressed archive, can be read and used by CD-ROMs and Java, extractable by 7-zip and WINRAR
  • BKF – Microsoft backup created by NTBackup.c
  • BLEND – An external 3D file format used by the animation software, Blender.
  • BZ2 – bzip2
  • BMP – Bitmap Image – You can create one on Windows by right-clicking the home screen, next, click new, then, click Bitmap Image
  • CAB – A cabinet file is a library of compressed files stored as one file. Cabinet files are used to organize installation files that are copied to the user's system.[2]
  • C4 – JEDMICS image files, a DOD system
  • CALS – JEDMICS image files, a DOD system
  • XAML – Used in programs like Visual Studio to create exe files.
  • CPT, SEA – Compact Pro (Macintosh)
  • CS – File extension for C-Sharp (C#) files
  • DAA – DAA: Closed-format, Windows-only compressed disk image
  • DEB – Debian install package
  • DMG – an Apple compressed/encrypted format
  • DDZ – a file which can only be used by the "daydreamer engine" created by "fever-dreamer", a program similar to RAGS, it's mainly used to make somewhat short games.
  • DN – Adobe Dimension CC file format
  • DNG – "Digital Negative" a type of raw image file format used in digital photography.
  • DPE – Package of AVE documents made with Aquafadas digital publishing tools.
  • EGG – Alzip Egg Edition compressed file
  • EGT – EGT Universal Document also used to create compressed cabinet files replaces .ecab
  • ECAB, EZIP – EGT Compressed Folder used in advanced systems to compress entire system folders, replaced by EGT Universal Document
  • ESD – ESD: Electronic Software Distribution, a compressed and encrypted WIM File
  • ESS – EGT SmartSense File, detects files compressed using the EGT compression system.
  • EXE – Windows application
  • FLIPCHART – Used in Promethean ActivInspire Flipchart Software.
  • FUN – A FUN file is a file that has been encrypted by Jigsaw ransomware, which is malware distributed by cybercriminals. It contains a file, such as a .JPG, .DOCX, .XLSX, .MP4, or .CSV file, that has been renamed and encrypted by the virus.
  • FLM – FL Studio Mobile, can also be used as a project file.
  • FLP – FL Studio Project File
  • GBS, GGP, GSC – GBS OtterUI binary scene file
  • GD – GDScript, belonging to Godot Game Engine
  • GHO, GHS – GHO Norton Ghost
  • GIF – GIF Graphics Interchange Format
  • GIFV – Graphics Interchange Format Video, a format used for short, looping videos that combines the advantages of GIFs and videos, with better playback quality and lower file sizes[3]
  • GZ – gzip Compressed file
  • HEIC – High-Efficiency Image Codec; less storage space than the equivalent quality JPEG
  • IPG – Format in which Apple Inc. packages their iPod games. can be extracted through Winrar
  • JAR – jar ZIP file with manifest for use with Java applications.
  • JPG – Joint Photographic Experts Group – Image File
  • JPEG – Joint Photographic Experts Group – Image File
  • LAWRENCE – LBR Lawrence Compiler Type file
  • LBR – LBR Library file
  • LLSP3 – Lego Spike program file
  • LQR – LQR LBR Library file compressed by the SQ program.
  • LZH – LHA Lempel, Ziv, Huffman
  • LZ – lzip Compressed file
  • LZO – lzo
  • LZMA – lzma Lempel–Ziv–Markov chain algorithm compressed file
  • LZX – LZX
  • LUA – Lua
  • MBW – MBRWizard archive
  • MCWORLD – Zip archive used by Minecraft: Bedrock Edition containing all the files needed to load an in-game world.
  • MHTML – Mime HTML (Hyper-Text Markup Language) code file
  • MIDI, MID – Musical Instrument Digital Interface
  • MLOG – A file format intended to be used for Mindustry Logic
  • MPQ – MPQ Archives Used by Blizzard Entertainment
  • MUP -- File type used by MindMup to export editable Mind Maps
  • MM -- File type used by FreeMind to export editable Mind Maps
  • BIN – BIN MacBinary
  • NL2PKG – NoLimits 2 Package
  • NTH – NTH: Nokia Theme Used by Nokia Series 40 cellphones
  • OAR – OAR: OAR archive
  • OGG – Ogg Vorbis Compressed Audio File
  • OSG – Compressed osu! live gameplay archive (optimized for spectating)
  • PAK – Enhanced type of .ARC archive
  • PAR, PAR 2 – PAR Parchive
  • PART – A file used with Stud.Io
  • PAF – PAF Portable Application File
  • PEA – PEA PeaZip archive file
  • PNG – Portable Network Graphic Image File
  • WEBP – Raster image format developed by Google for web graphics
  • PHP – PHP code file
  • PYK – PYK compressed file
  • PK3 – PK3 Quake 3 archive (see note on Doom³)
  • PK4 – PK4 Doom³ archive (opens similarly to a zip archive.)
  • PNJ – a sub-format of the MNG file format, used for encapsulating JPEG files[4]
  • PXZ – a compressed layered image file used for the image editing website, pixlr.com
  • PY, PYW – Python code file
  • PMP – PenguinMod Project
  • PMS – PenguinMod Sprite
  • RAR – RAR Rar Archive, for multiple file archive (rar to .r01-.r99 to s01 and so on)
  • RAG, RAGS – Game file, a game playable in the RAGS game-engine, a free program which both allows people to create games, and play games, games created have the format "RAG game file"
  • RaX – Archive file created by RaX
  • RBXL – Roblox Studio place file (XML, binary)
  • RBXLX – Roblox Studio place file (exclusively XML)
  • RBXM – Roblox Studio model file (XML, binary)
  • RBXMX – Roblox Studio model file (exclusively XML)
  • RPM – Red Hat package/installer for Fedora, RHEL, and similar systems.
  • SB – Scratch 1.x file
  • SB2 – Scratch 2.0 file
  • SB3 – Scratch 3.0 file
  • SEN – Scifer Archive (.sen) – Scifer Internal Archive Type
  • SF2 – Polyphone Soundfont 2
  • SF3 – Polyphone Soundfont 3
  • SF4 – Polyphone Soundfont 4
  • SITX – SIT StuffIt (Macintosh)
  • SIS, SISX – SIS/SISX: Symbian Application Package
  • SKB – Google SketchUp backup File
  • SQ – SQ: Squish Compressed Archive
  • SRT – SubRip Subtitle – file format for closed captioning or subtitles.
  • SWM – Splitted WIM File, usually found on OEM Recovery Partition to store preinstalled Windows image, and to make Recovery backup (to USB Drive) easier (due to FAT32 limitations)
  • SZS – Nintendo Yaz0 Compressed Archive
  • TAR – TAR: group of files, packaged as one file
  • TSCN - A file format typically used for scenes in the Godot Game Engine
  • GZIP, TAR.GZ – (Gzip, .tar.gz): TGZ gzipped tar file
  • TB – TB Tabbery Virtual Desktop Tab file
  • TIB – TIB Acronis True Image backup
  • UHA – Ultra High Archive Compression
  • UUE – UUE unified utility engine – the generic and default format for all things UUe-related.
  • UF2 – USB Flashing Format; developed by Microsoft for PXT (also known as Microsoft MakeCode), that is particularly suitable for flashing microcontrollers over MSC (Mass Storage Class; aka removable flash drive).[5]
  • VIV – Archive format used to compress data for several video games, including Need For Speed: High Stakes.
  • VOL – video game data package.
  • VSA – Altiris Virtual Software Archive
  • WAX – Wavexpress – A ZIP alternative optimized for packages containing video, allowing multiple packaged files to be all-or-none delivered with near-instantaneous unpacking via NTFS file system manipulation.
  • WAV, WAVE – a format for storing uncompressed audio files.
  • WFP – a Wondershare Filmora project file
  • WIM – WIM A compressed disk image for installing Windows Vista or higher, Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PC, or restoring a system image made from Backup and Restore (Windows Vista/7)
  • XAP – Windows Phone Application Package
  • XZ – xz compressed files, based on LZMA/LZMA2 algorithm
  • Z – Unix compress file
  • ZOO – zoo: based on LZW
  • ZIP – zip: popular compression format
  • ZIM – ZIM: an open file format that stores wiki content for offline usage

Physical recordable media archiving

  • ISO – Generic format for most optical media, including CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, Blu-ray, HD DVD and UMD.
  • NRG – Proprietary optical media archive format used by Nero applications.
  • IMG – Raw disk image, for archiving DOS formatted floppy disks, hard drives, and larger optical media.
  • ADF – for archiving Amiga floppy disks
  • ADZ – The GZip-compressed version of ADF.
  • DMS – a disk-archiving system native to the Amiga.
  • DSK – For archiving floppy disks from a number of other platforms, including the ZX Spectrum and Amstrad CPC.
  • D64 – An archive of a Commodore 64 floppy disk.
  • SDI – used for archiving and providing "virtual disk" functionality.
  • MDS – Daemon Tools native disc image format used for making images from optical CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, HD DVD or Blu-ray. It comes together with MDF file and can be mounted with DAEMON Tools.
  • MDX – Daemon Tools format that allows getting one MDX disc image file instead of two (MDF and MDS).
  • DMG – Macintosh disk image files
  • CDI – DiscJuggler image file
  • CUE – CDRWrite CUE image file
  • CIF – Easy CD Creator .cif format
  • C2D – Roxio-WinOnCD .c2d format
  • DAA – PowerISO .daa format
  • B6T – BlindWrite 6 image file
  • B5T – BlindWrite 5 image file
  • BWT – BlindWrite 4 image file
  • FFPPKG – FreeFire Profile Export Package

LemonOS/LemonTabOS/LemonRoid

  • LEMONAPP – LemonOS/LemonTabOS/LemonRoid App (.lem_app)

Other extensions

Computer-aided design

Computer-aided is a prefix for several categories of tools (e.g., design, manufacture, engineering) which assist professionals in their respective fields (e.g., machining, architecture, schematics).

Computer-aided design (CAD)

Computer-aided design (CAD) software assists engineers, architects and other design professionals in project design.

  • 3DXML – Dassault Systemes graphic representation
  • 3MF – Microsoft 3D Manufacturing Format[6]
  • ACP – VA Software VA – Virtual Architecture CAD file
  • AMF – Additive Manufacturing File Format
  • AEC – DataCAD drawing format[7]
  • AEDT – Ansys Electronic Desktop – Project file
  • AR – Ashlar-Vellum Argon – 3D Modeling
  • ART – ArtCAM model
  • ASC – BRL-CAD Geometry File (old ASCII format)
  • ASM – Solidedge Assembly, Pro/ENGINEER Assembly
  • BIN, BIM – Data Design System DDS-CAD
  • BREP – Open CASCADE 3D model (shape)
  • C3D – C3D Toolkit File Format
  • C3P – Construct3 Files
  • CCC – CopyCAD Curves
  • CCM – CopyCAD Model
  • CCS – CopyCAD Session
  • CAD – CadStd
  • CATDrawing – CATIA V5 Drawing document
  • CATPart – CATIA V5 Part document
  • CATProduct – CATIA V5 Assembly document
  • CATProcess – CATIA V5 Manufacturing document
  • CGR – CATIA V5 graphic representation file
  • CKD – KeyCreator CAD parts, assemblies, and drawings
  • CKT – KeyCreator template file
  • CO – Ashlar-Vellum Cobalt – parametric drafting and 3D modeling
  • DAB – AppliCad 3D model CAD file
  • DRW – Caddie Early version of Caddie drawing – Prior to Caddie changing to DWG
  • DFT – Solidedge Draft
  • DGN – MicroStation design file
  • DGK – Delcam Geometry
  • DMT – Delcam Machining Triangles
  • DXF – ASCII Drawing Interchange file format, AutoCAD
  • DWB – VariCAD drawing file
  • DWF – Autodesk's Web Design Format; AutoCAD & Revit can publish to this format; similar in concept to PDF files; Autodesk Design Review is the reader
  • DWG – Popular file format for Computer Aided Drafting applications, notably AutoCAD, Open Design Alliance applications, and Autodesk Inventor Drawing files
  • EASM – SolidWorks eDrawings assembly file
  • EDRW – eDrawings drawing file
  • EMB – Wilcom ES Designer Embroidery CAD file
  • EPRT – eDrawings part file
  • EscPcb – "esCAD pcb" data file by Electro-System (Japan)
  • EscSch – "esCAD sch" data file by Electro-System (Japan)
  • ESW – AGTEK format
  • EXCELLON – Excellon file
  • EXP – Drawing Express format
  • F3D – Autodesk Fusion 360 archive file[8]
  • FCStd – Native file format of FreeCAD CAD/CAM package
  • FM – FeatureCAM Part File
  • FMZ – FormZ Project file
  • G – BRL-CAD Geometry File
  • GBR – Gerber file
  • GLM – KernelCAD model
  • GRB – T-FLEX CAD File
  • GRI – AppliCad GRIM-In file in readable text form for importing roof and wall cladding job data generated by business management and accounting systems into the modelling/estimating program
  • GRO – AppliCad GRIM-Out file in readable text form for exporting roof and wall cladding data job material and labour costing data, material lists generated by the modelling/estimating program to business management and accounting systems
  • IAM – Autodesk Inventor Assembly file
  • ICD – IronCAD 2D CAD file
  • IDW – Autodesk Inventor Drawing file
  • IFC – buildingSMART for sharing AEC and FM data
  • IGES – Initial Graphics Exchange Specification
  • DGN, CEL – Intergraph Standard File Formats Intergraph
  • IO – Stud.io 3D model
  • IPN – Autodesk Inventor Presentation file
  • IPT – Autodesk Inventor Part file
  • JT – Jupiter Tesselation
  • MCD – Monu-CAD (Monument/Headstone Drawing file)
  • MDG – Model of Digital Geometric Kernel
  • model – CATIA V4 part document
  • OCD – Orienteering Computer Aided Design (OCAD) file
  • PAR – Solidedge Part
  • PIPE – PIPE-FLO Professional Piping system design file
  • PLN – ArchiCad project
  • PRT – NX (recently known as Unigraphics), Pro/ENGINEER Part, CADKEY Part
  • PSM – Solidedge Sheet
  • PSMODEL – PowerSHAPE Model
  • PWI – PowerINSPECT File
  • PYT – Pythagoras File
  • SKP – SketchUp Model
  • RLF – ArtCAM Relief
  • RVM – AVEVA PDMS 3D Review model
  • RVT – Autodesk Revit project files
  • RFA – Autodesk Revit family files
  • RFT - Autodesk Revit Revit Family Template
  • RXF – AppliCad annotated 3D roof and wall geometry data in readable text form used to exchange 3D model geometry with other systems such as truss design software
  • S12 – Spirit file, by Softtech
  • SCAD – OpenSCAD 3D part model
  • SCDOC – SpaceClaim 3D Part/Assembly
  • SKP – Sketchup
  • SLDASM – SolidWorks Assembly drawing
  • SLDDRW – SolidWorks 2D drawing
  • SLDPRT – SolidWorks 3D part model
  • dotXSI – For Softimage
  • STATE – A file used by the IaC tool to record information about what has been deployed by the tool.
  • STEP – Standard for the Exchange of Product model data
  • STL – Stereo Lithographic data format used by various CAD systems and stereo lithographic printing machines.
  • STD – Power Vision Plus – Electricity Meter Data (Circuitor)
  • TCT – TurboCAD drawing template
  • TCW – TurboCAD for Windows 2D and 3D drawing
  • UNV – I-DEAS I-DEAS (Integrated Design and Engineering Analysis Software)
  • VC6 – Ashlar-Vellum Graphite – 2D and 3D drafting
  • VLM – Ashlar-Vellum Vellum, Vellum 2D, Vellum Draft, Vellum 3D, DrawingBoard
  • VS – Ashlar-Vellum Vellum Solids
  • WRL – Similar to STL, but includes color. Used by various CAD systems and 3D printing rapid prototyping machines. Also used for VRML models on the web.
  • X_B – Parasolids binary format
  • X_T – Parasolids
  • XE – Ashlar-Vellum Xenon – for associative 3D modeling
  • ZOFZPROJ – ZofzPCB 3D PCB model, containing mesh, netlist and BOM

Electronic design automation (EDA)

Electronic design automation (EDA), or electronic computer-aided design (ECAD), is specific to the field of electrical engineering.

  • BRD – Board file for EAGLE Layout Editor, a commercial PCB design tool
  • BSDL – Description language for testing through JTAG
  • CDL – Transistor-level netlist format for IC design
  • CPF – Power-domain specification in system-on-a-chip (SoC) implementation (see also UPF)
  • DEF – Gate-level layout
  • Detailed Standard Parasitic Format – Detailed Standard Parasitic Format, Analog-level Parastic component of interconnections in IC design
  • EDIF – Vendor neutral gate-level netlist format
  • FSDB – Analog waveform format (see also Waveform viewer)
  • GDSII – Format for PCB and layout of integrated circuits
  • HEX – ASCII-coded binary format for memory dumps
  • LEF – Library Exchange Format, physical abstract of cells for IC design
  • Liberty (EDA) – Library modeling (function, timing) format
  • MS12 – NI Multisim file
  • OASIS – Open Artwork System Interchange Standard
  • OpenAccess – Design database format with APIs
  • PSF – Cadence proprietary format to store simulation results/waveforms (2GB limit)
  • PSFXL – Cadence proprietary format to store simulation results/waveforms
  • SDC – Synopsys Design Constraints, format for synthesis constraints
  • SDF – Standard for gate-level timings
  • SPEF – Standard format for Parasitic component of interconnections in IC design
  • SPI, CIR – SPICE Netlist, device-level netlist and commands for simulation
  • SREC, S19 – S-record, ASCII-coded format for memory dumps
  • SST2 – Cadence proprietary format to store mixed-signal simulation results/waveforms
  • STIL – Standard Test Interface Language, IEEE1450-1999 standard for Test Patterns for IC
  • SV – SystemVerilog source file
  • S*P – Touchstone/EEsof Scattering parameter data file – multi-port blackbox performance, measurement or simulated
  • TLF – Contains timing and logical information about a collection of cells (circuit elements)
  • UPF – Standard for Power-domain specification in SoC implementation
  • V – Verilog source file
  • VCD – Standard format for digital simulation waveform
  • VHD, VHDL – VHDL source file
  • WGL – Waveform Generation Language, format for Test Patterns for IC

Test technology

Files output from Automatic Test Equipment or post-processed from such.

Database

  • 4DB – 4D database Structure file
  • 4DC – 4D database Structure file (compiled in legacy mode)
  • 4DD – 4D database Data file
  • 4DIndy – 4D database Structure Index file
  • 4DIndx – 4D database Data Index file
  • 4DR – 4D database Data resource file (in old 4D versions)
  • 4DZ – 4D database Structure file (compiled in 4D Project mode)
  • ACCDB – Microsoft Database (Microsoft Office Access 2007 and later)
  • ACCDE – Compiled Microsoft Database (Microsoft Office Access 2007 and later)
  • ADT – Sybase Advantage Database Server (ADS)
  • APR – Lotus Approach data entry & reports
  • BOX – Lotus Notes Post Office mail routing database
  • CHML – Krasbit Technologies Encrypted database file for 1 click integration between contact management software and the Chameleon Software
  • DAF – Digital Anchor data file
  • DAT – DOS Basic
  • DAT – Intersystems Caché database file
  • DB – Paradox
  • DB – SQLite
  • DBF – db/dbase II,III,IV and V, Clipper, Harbour/xHarbour, Fox/FoxPro, Oracle
  • DTA – Sage Sterling database file
  • EGT – EGT Universal Document, used to compress sql databases to smaller files, may contain original EGT database style.
  • ESS – EGT SmartSense is a database of files and its compression style. Specific to EGT SmartSense
  • EAP – Enterprise Architect Project
  • FDB – Firebird Databases
  • FDB – Navision database file
  • FP, FP3, FP5, FP7 – FileMaker Pro
  • FRM – MySQL table definition
  • GDB – Borland InterBase Databases
  • GTABLE – Google Drive Fusion Table
  • KEXI – Kexi database file (SQLite-based)
  • KEXIC – shortcut to a database connection for a Kexi databases on a server
  • KEXIS – shortcut to a Kexi database
  • LDB – Temporary database file, only existing when database is open
  • LIRS – Layered Intager Storage. Stores intageres with characters such as semicolons to create lists of data.
  • MDA – Add-in file for Microsoft Access
  • MDB – Microsoft Access database
  • ADP – Microsoft Access project (used for accessing databases on a server)
  • MDE – Compiled Microsoft Database (Access)
  • MDF – Microsoft SQL Server Database
  • MYD – MySQL MyISAM table data
  • MYI – MySQL MyISAM table index
  • NCF – Lotus Notes configuration file
  • NSF – Lotus Notes database
  • NTF – Lotus Notes database design template
  • NV2 – QW Page NewViews object oriented accounting database
  • ODB – LibreOffice Base or OpenOffice Base database
  • ORA – Oracle tablespace files sometimes get this extension (also used for configuration files)
  • PCONTACT – WinIM Contact file
  • PDB – Palm OS Database
  • PDI – Portable Database Image
  • PDX – Corel Paradox database management
  • PRC – Palm OS resource database
  • SQL – bundled SQL queries
  • REC – GNU recutils database
  • REL – Sage Retrieve 4GL data file
  • RIN – Sage Retrieve 4GL index file
  • SDB – StarOffice's StarBase
  • SDF – SQL Compact Database file
  • SQLITE – SQLite
  • UDL – Universal Data Link
  • waData – Wakanda (software) database Data file
  • waIndx – Wakanda (software) database Index file
  • waModel – Wakanda (software) database Model file
  • waJournal – Wakanda (software) database Journal file
  • WDB – Microsoft Works Database
  • WMDB – Windows Media Database file – The CurrentDatabase_360.wmdb file can contain file name, file properties, music, video, photo and playlist information.

Big Data (Distributed)

  • Avro – Data format appropriate for ingestion of record based attributes. Distinguishing characteristic is schema is stored on each row enabling schema evolution.
  • Parquet – Columnar data storage. It is typically used within the Hadoop ecosystem.
  • ORC – Similar to Parquet, but has better data compression and schema evolution handling.

Desktop publishing

Document

These files store formatted text and plain text.

Financial records

Financial data transfer formats

Font file

General purpose

These file formats allow for the rapid creation of new binary file formats.

  • IFDS – Incredibly Flexible Data Storage file format. File extension and the magic number does not have to be IFDS.[11]

Geographic information system

Main article: GIS file formats

Graphical information organizers

  • 3DT – 3D Topicscape, the database in which the meta-data of a 3D Topicscape is held, it is a form of 3D concept map (like a 3D mind-map) used to organize ideas, information, and computer files
  • ATY – 3D Topicscape file, produced when an association type is exported; used to permit round-trip (export Topicscape, change files and folders as desired, re-import to 3D Topicscape)
  • CAG (file format) – Linear Reference System
  • FES (file format) – 3D Topicscape file, produced when a fileless occurrence in 3D Topicscape is exported to Windows. Used to permit round-trip (export Topicscape, change files and folders as desired, re-import them to 3D Topicscape)
  • MGMF – MindGenius Mind Mapping Software file format
  • MM – FreeMind mind map file (XML)
  • MMP (file format) – Mind Manager mind map file
  • TPC (file format) – 3D Topicscape file, produced when an inter-Topicscape topic link file is exported to Windows; used to permit round-trip (export Topicscape, change files and folders as desired, re-import to 3D Topicscape)

Graphics

Main articles: Image file formats and Comparison of graphics file formats

Color palettes

  • ACT – Adobe Color Table. Contains a raw color palette and consists of 256 24-bit RGB colour values.
  • ASE – Adobe Swatch Exchange. Used by Adobe Substance, Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.[13]
  • GPL – GIMP palette file. Uses a text representation of color names and RGB values. Various open source graphical editors can read this format,[14] including GIMP, Inkscape, Krita,[15] KolourPaint, Scribus, CinePaint, and MyPaint.[16]
  • PAL – Microsoft RIFF palette file

Color management

  • ICC, ICM – Color profile conforming the specification of the ICC.

Raster graphics

Raster or bitmap files store images as a group of pixels.

  • ART – America Online proprietary format
  • BLP – Blizzard Entertainment proprietary texture format
  • BMP – Microsoft Windows Bitmap formatted image
  • BTI – Nintendo proprietary texture format
  • CD5 – Chasys Draw IES image
  • CIT – Intergraph is a monochrome bitmap format
  • CPT – Corel PHOTO-PAINT image
  • CR2 – Canon camera raw format; photos have this on some Canon cameras if the quality RAW is selected in camera settings
  • CLIP – CLIP STUDIO PAINT format
  • CPL – Windows control panel file
  • DDS – DirectX texture file
  • DIB – Device-Independent Bitmap graphic
  • DjVu – DjVu for scanned documents
  • EGT – EGT Universal Document, used in EGT SmartSense to compress PNG files to yet a smaller file
  • EXIF – Exchangeable image file format (Exif) is a specification for the image format used by digital cameras
  • GIF – CompuServe's Graphics Interchange Format
  • GRF – Zebra Technologies proprietary format
  • ICNS – format for icons in macOS. Contains bitmap images at multiple resolutions and bitdepths with alpha channel.
  • ICO – a format used for icons in Microsoft Windows. Contains small bitmap images at multiple resolutions and bitdepths with 1-bit transparency or alpha channel.
  • IFF, ILBM, LBM – IFF ILBM
  • JNG – a single-frame MNG using JPEG compression and possibly an alpha channel
  • JPEG, JFIF, JPG, JPEG – Joint Photographic Experts Group; a lossy image format widely used to display photographic images
  • JP2 – JPEG2000
  • JPS – JPEG Stereo
  • JXL – JPEG XL, an image format designed for professional photography and web images; supports wide color gamut, high dynamic range, animations, and a max resolution of 1,073,741,823 x 1,073,741,824
  • KRA – Krita image file
  • LBM – Deluxe Paint image file
  • MAX – ScanSoft PaperPort document
  • MIFF – ImageMagick's native file format
  • MNG – Multiple-image Network Graphics, the animated version of PNG
  • MSP – a format used by old versions of Microsoft Paint; replaced by BMP in Microsoft Windows 3.0
  • NEF – Nikon camera raw format; photos have this on some Nikon cameras if the quality RAW is selected in camera settings
  • NITF – A U.S. Government standard commonly used in Intelligence systems
  • OTB – Over The Air bitmap, a specification designed by Nokia for black and white images for mobile phones
  • PBM – Portable bitmap
  • PC1 – Low resolution, compressed Degas picture file
  • PC2 – Medium resolution, compressed Degas picture file
  • PC3 – High resolution, compressed Degas picture file
  • PCF – Pixel Coordination Format
  • PCX – a lossless format used by ZSoft's PC Paint, popular for a time on DOS systems.
  • PDD – Adobe PhotoDeluxe image
  • PDN – Paint.NET image file
  • PGF – Progressive Graphics File
  • PGM – Portable graymap
  • PI1 – Low resolution, uncompressed Degas picture file
  • PI2 – Medium resolution, uncompressed Degas picture file; also Portrait Innovations encrypted image format
  • PI3 – High resolution, uncompressed Degas picture file
  • PICT, PCT – Apple Macintosh PICT image
  • PNG – Portable Network Graphic (lossless, recommended for display and edition of graphic images)
  • PNM – Portable anymap graphic bitmap image
  • PNS – PNG Stereo
  • PPM – Portable Pixmap (Pixel Map) image
  • procreate – Procreate's drawing file
  • PSB – Adobe Photoshop Big image file (for large files)
  • PSD – Adobe Photoshop Document
  • PSP – Paint Shop Pro image
  • PX – Pixel image editor image file
  • PXM – Pixelmator image file
  • PXR – Pixar Image Computer image file
  • QFX – QuickLink Fax image
  • RAW – General term for minimally processed image data (acquired by a digital camera)
  • RLE – a run-length encoding image
  • SCT – Scitex Continuous Tone image file
  • SGI, RGB, INT, BW – Silicon Graphics Image
  • TGA, TARGA, ICB, VDA, VST, PIX – Truevision TGA (Targa) image
  • TIFF, TIF – Tag(ged) Image File Format; usually lossless, but many variants exist, including lossy ones.
  • TIFF/EP, TIF, TIFF – Tag Image File Format / Electronic Photography, ISO 12234-2; tends to be used as a basis for other formats rather than in its own right.
  • VTF – Valve Texture Format
  • WEBP – WebP, an image format designed for the web that can provide both lossless and lossy compression.
  • XBM – X Window System Bitmap
  • XCF – GIMP image (from Gimp's origin at the eXperimental Computing Facility of the University of California)
  • XPM – X Window System Pixmap
  • ZIF – Zoomable/Zoomify Image Format (a web-friendly, TIFF-based, zoomable image format)

Vector graphics

Vector graphics use geometric primitives such as points, lines, curves, and polygons to represent images.

  • 3DV file – 3-D wireframe graphics by Oscar Garcia
  • AMF – Additive Manufacturing File Format
  • AWG – Ability Draw
  • AI – Adobe Illustrator Document
  • CGM – Computer Graphics Metafile, an ISO Standard
  • CDR – CorelDRAW Document
  • CMX – CorelDRAW vector image
  • DP – Drawing Program file for PERQ[17]
  • DRAWIO – Diagrams.net offline diagram
  • DXF – ASCII Drawing Interchange file Format, used in AutoCAD and other CAD-programs
  • E2D – 2-dimensional vector graphics used by the editor which is included in JFire
  • EGT – EGT Universal Document, EGT Vector Draw images are used to draw vector to a website
  • EPS – Encapsulated Postscript
  • FS – FlexiPro file.x
  • GBR – Gerber file
  • ODG – OpenDocument Drawing
  • MOVIE.BYU – 3D Vector file for polygons, coordinates and more complex shapes
  • RenderMan – Displays Shading in both 2D and 3D scapes
  • SVG – Scalable Vector Graphics, employs XML
  • 3DMLW – Scene description languages (3D vector image formats)
  • STL – Stereo Lithographic data format (see STL (file format)) used by various CAD systems and stereo lithographic printing machines. See above.
  • WRL – Virtual Reality Modeling Language, VRML Uses this extension for the creation of 3D viewable web images.
  • X3D – XML-based file for communicating 3D graphics
  • SXD – OpenOffice.org XML (obsolete) Drawing
  • TGAX – Texture format used by Zwift
  • V2D – voucher design used by the voucher management included in JFire
  • VDOC – Vector format used in AnyCut, CutStorm, DrawCut, DragonCut, FutureDRAW, MasterCut, SignMaster, VinylMaster software by Future Corporation
  • VSD – Vector format used by Microsoft Visio
  • VSDX – Vector format used by MS Visio and opened by VSDX Annotator
  • VND – Vision numeric Drawing file used in TypeEdit, Gravostyle.
  • WMF – Windows Meta File
  • EMF – Enhanced (Windows) MetaFile, an extension to WMF
  • ART – Xara–Drawing (superseded by XAR)
  • XAR – Xara–Drawing

3D graphics

See also: 3D file format at EduTech Wiki

3D graphics are 3D models that allow building models in real-time or non-real-time 3D rendering.

Mathematical

Object code, executable files, shared and dynamically linked libraries

  • 8BF – files plugins for some photo editing programs including Adobe Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro, GIMP and Helicon Filter.
  • .a – a static library on Unix-like systems
  • .a – Objective C native static library
  • a.out – (no suffix for executable image, .o for object files, .so for shared object files) classic Unix object format, now often superseded by ELF
  • APK – Android Package
  • APP – A folder found on macOS systems containing program code and resources, appearing as one file.
  • .app, APP – file extension are executable application packages for running apps on HarmonyOS, OpenHarmony and Oniro devices.
  • BAC – an executable image for the RSTS/E system, created using the BASIC-PLUS COMPILE command[18]
  • BPL – a Win32 PE file created with Delphi or C++Builder containing a package.
  • Bundle – a Macintosh plugin created with Xcode or make which holds executable code, data files, and folders for that code.
  • .class – Compiled Java bytecode
  • COFF – (no suffix for executable image, .o for object files) Unix Common Object File Format, now often superseded by ELF
  • COM – Simple executable format used by CP/M and DOS.
  • DCU – Delphi compiled unit
  • DLL – Dynamic library used in Windows and OS/2 to store data, resources and code.
  • DOL – the format used by the GameCube and Wii, short for Dolphin, which was the codename of the GameCube.
  • .EAR – archives of Java enterprise applications
  • ELF – (no suffix for executable image, .o for object files, .so for shared object files) used in many modern Unix and Unix-like systems, including Solaris, other System V Release 4 derivatives, Linux, and BSD)
  • .exe – DOS executable (.exe: used in DOS)
  • .EXE – New Executable (used in multitasking ("European") MS-DOS 4.0, 16-bit Microsoft Windows, and OS/2)
  • .EXE – Portable Executable used in Microsoft Windows and some other systems
  • .ipa, .IPA – file extension for apple IOS application executable file. Another form of zip file.
  • .JAR – archives of Java class files
  • JEFF – a file format allowing execution directly from static memory[19]
  • .ko – Loadable kernel module
  • LIB – a static library on Microsoft platforms
  • LIST – variable list
  • Mach-O – (no suffix for executable image, .o for object files, .dylib and .bundle for shared object files) Mach-based systems, notably native format of macOS, iOS, watchOS, and tvOS
  • .NLM – NetWare Loadable Module the native 32-bit binaries compiled for Novell's NetWare Operating System (versions 3 and newer)
  • .o – un-linked object files directly from the compiler
  • OBJ – object file on Windows
  • RLL – used in Microsoft operating systems together with a DLL file to store program resources
  • .s1es – Executable used for S1ES learning system.
  • .so – shared library, typically ELF
  • .VAP – Value Added Process the native 16-bit binaries compiled for Novell's NetWare Operating System (version 2, NetWare 286, Advanced NetWare, etc.)
  • WAR, .WAR – .WAR are archives of Java Web applications
  • .XAP – Windows Phone package
  • XBE – XBE is Xbox executable
  • XCOFF – (no suffix for executable image, .o for object files, .a for shared object files) extended COFF, used in AIX
  • XEX – XEX is Xbox 360 executable
  • .XPI – PKZIP archive that can be run by Mozilla web browsers to install software.
  • XSD – XML Schema Definition, used for planning and organizing XML documents.

Object extensions:

  • .OCX – .OCX are Object Control extensions
  • .TLB – .TLB are Windows Type Library
  • .VBX – .VBX are Visual Basic extensions

Page description language

For a more comprehensive list, see List of page description languages.

Personal information manager

Main article: Personal information manager

Presentation

Project management software

Main article: Project management software

Reference management software

Main article: Reference management software

Formats of files used for bibliographic information (citation) management.

Scientific data (data exchange)

  • .fits – FITS (Flexible Image Transport System) standard data format for astronomy
  • Silo – Silo, a storage format for visualization developed at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
  • SPC – SPC, spectroscopic data
  • EAS3 – binary format for structured data
  • EOSSA – Electro-Optic Space Situational Awareness format
  • OST – (Open Spatio-Temporal) extensible, mainly images with related data, or just pure data; meant as an open alternative for microscope images
  • CCP4 – CCP4, X-ray crystallography voxels (electron density)
  • MRC – MRC, voxels in cryo-electron microscopy
  • HITRAN – spectroscopic data with one optical/infrared transition per line in the ASCII file (.hit)
  • .root – hierarchical platform-independent compressed binary format used by ROOT
  • SDF – Simple Data Format (SDF), a platform-independent, precision-preserving binary data I/O format capable of handling large, multi-dimensional arrays.
  • MYD – Everfine LEDSpec software file for LED measurements
  • CSDM – (Core Scientific Dataset Model) model for multi-dimensional and correlated datasets from various spectroscopies, diffraction, microscopy, and imaging techniques (.csdf, .csdfe).[20]

Multi-domain

Meteorology

  • GRIB – Grid in Binary, WMO format for weather model data
  • BUFR – WMO format for weather observation data
  • PP – UK Met Office format for weather model data
  • NASA-Ames – Simple text format for observation data. First used in aircraft studies of the atmosphere.

Chemistry

Main article: chemical file format

Mathematics

Biology

Molecular biology and bioinformatics:

Biomedical imaging

Biomedical signals (time series)

  • ACQ – AcqKnowledge format for Windows/PC from Biopac Systems Inc., Goleta, CA, USA
  • ADICHT – LabChart format from ADInstruments Pty Ltd, Bella Vista NSW, Australia
  • BCI2000 – The BCI2000 project, Albany, NY, USA
  • BDF – BioSemi data format from BioSemi B.V. Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • BKR – The EEG data format developed at the University of Technology Graz, Austria
  • CFWB – Chart Data Format from ADInstruments Pty Ltd, Bella Vista NSW, Australia
  • DICOM – Waveform An extension of Dicom for storing waveform data
  • ecgML – A markup language for electrocardiogram data acquisition and analysis
  • EDF, EDF+ – European Data Format
  • FEF – File Exchange Format for Vital signs, CEN TS 14271
  • GDF – The General Data Format for biomedical signals
  • HL7aECG – Health Level 7 v3 annotated ECG
  • MFER – Medical waveform Format Encoding Rules
  • OpenXDF – Open Exchange Data Format from Neurotronics, Inc., Gainesville, FL, USA
  • SCP-ECG – Standard Communication Protocol for Computer assisted electrocardiography EN1064:2007
  • SIGIF – A digital SIGnal Interchange Format with application in neurophysiology
  • WFDB – Format of Physiobank
  • XDF – eXtensible Data Format

Other biomedical formats

  • HL7 – Health Level 7, a framework for exchange, integration, sharing, and retrieval of health information electronically
  • xDT – a family of data exchange formats for medical records

Biometric formats

  • CBF – Common Biometric Format, based on CBEFF 2.0 (Common Biometric ExFramework).
  • EBF – Extended Biometric Format, based on CBF but with S/MIME encryption support and semantic extensions
  • CBFX – XML Common Biometric Format, based upon XCBF 1.1 (OASIS XML Common Biometric Format)
  • EBFX – XML Extended Biometric Format, based on CBFX but with W3C XML Encryption support and semantic extensions

Programming languages and scripts

Security

Authentication and general encryption formats are listed here.

Certificates and keys

X.509

Encrypted files

This section shows file formats for encrypted general data, rather than a specific program's data.

  • AXX – Encrypted file, created with AxCrypt
  • EEA – An encrypted CAB, ostensibly for protecting email attachments
  • TC – Virtual encrypted disk container, created by TrueCrypt
  • KODE – Encrypted file, created with KodeFile
  • nSignE – An encrypted private key, created by nSign[27]

Password files

Password files (sometimes called keychain files) contain lists of other passwords, usually encrypted.

  • BPW – Encrypted password file created by Bitser password manager
  • KDB – KeePass 1 database
  • KDBX – KeePass 2 database

Signal data (non-audio)

  • ACQ – AcqKnowledge format for Windows/PC from Biopac
  • ADICHT – LabChart format from ADInstruments
  • BKR – The EEG data format developed at the University of Technology Graz
  • BDF, CFG – Configuration file for Comtrade data
  • CFWB – Chart Data format from ADInstruments
  • DAT – Raw data file for Comtrade data
  • EDF – European data format
  • FEF – File Exchange Format for Vital signs
  • GDF – General data formats for biomedical signals
  • GMS – Gesture And Motion Signal format
  • IROCK – intelliRock Sensor Data File Format
  • MFER – Medical waveform Format Encoding Rules
  • SAC – Seismic Analysis Code, earthquake seismology data format[28]
  • SCP-ECG – Standard Communication Protocol for Computer assisted electrocardiography
  • SEED, MSEED – Standard for the Exchange of Earthquake Data, seismological data and sensor metadata[29]
  • SEGY – Reflection seismology data format
  • SIGIF – SIGnal Interchange Format
  • WIN, WIN32 – NIED/ERI seismic data format (.cnt)[30]

Sound and music

See also: List of audio file formats

Lossless audio

Uncompressed

  • 8SVX – Commodore-Amiga 8-bit sound (usually in an IFF container)
  • 16SVX – Commodore-Amiga 16-bit sound (usually in an IFF container)
  • AIFF, AIF, AIFC – Audio Interchange File Format
  • AU – Simple audio file format introduced by Sun Microsystems
  • AUP3 – Audacity's file for when you save a song
  • BWF – Broadcast Wave Format, an extension of WAVE
  • CDDA – Compact Disc Digital Audio
  • DSF, DFF – Direct Stream Digital audio file, also used in Super Audio CD
  • RAW – Raw samples without any header or sync
  • WAV – Microsoft Wave
  • CWAV – file read by the Nintendo 3DS for Home-screen sound effects

Compressed

Lossy audio

Sheet music files

Other file formats pertaining to audio

Playlist formats

Audio editing and music production

Recorded television formats

Source code for computer programs

  • ADA, ADB, 2.ADA – Ada (body) source
  • ADS, 1.ADA – Ada (specification) source
  • ASM, S – Assembly language source
  • BAS – BASIC, FreeBASIC, Visual Basic, BASIC-PLUS source,[18] PICAXE basic
  • BB – Blitz Basic Blitz3D
  • BMX – Blitz Basic BlitzMax
  • C – C source
  • CLJ – Clojure source code
  • CLS – Visual Basic class
  • COB, CBL – COBOL source
  • CPP, CC, CXX, C, CBP – C++ source
  • CS – C# source
  • CSPROJ – C# project (Visual Studio .NET)
  • D – D source
  • DBA – DarkBASIC source
  • DBPro123 – DarkBASIC Professional project
  • E – Eiffel source
  • EFS – EGT Forever Source File
  • EGT – EGT Asterisk Source File, could be J, C#, VB.net, EF 2.0 (EGT Forever)
  • EL – Emacs Lisp source
  • FOR, FTN, F, F77, F90 – Fortran source
  • FRM – Visual Basic form
  • FRX – Visual Basic form stash file (binary form file)
  • FTH – Forth source
  • GED – Game Maker Extension Editable file as of version 7.0
  • GM6 – Game Maker Editable file as of version 6.x
  • GMD – Game Maker Editable file up to version 5.x
  • GMK – Game Maker Editable file as of version 7.0
  • GML – Game Maker Language script file
  • GO – Go source
  • H – C/C++ header file
  • HPP, HXX – C++ header file
  • HS – Haskell source
  • I – SWIG interface file
  • INC – Turbo Pascal included source
  • JAVA – Java source
  • JS – JavaScript source
  • L – lex source
  • LGT – Logtalk source
  • LISP – Common Lisp source
  • M – Objective-C source
  • M – MATLAB
  • M – Mathematica
  • MAP – CodeWarrior linker file
  • M4 – m4 source
  • ML – Standard ML and OCaml source
  • MSQR – M² source file, created by Mattia Marziali
  • N – Nemerle source
  • NB – Nuclear Basic source
  • P – Parser source
  • PAS, PP, P – Pascal source (DPR for projects)
  • PHP, PHP3, PHP4, PHP5, PHPS, Phtml – PHP source
  • PIV – Pivot stickfigure animator
  • PL, PM – Perl
  • PLI, PL1 – PL/I
  • PRG – Ashton-Tate; dbII, dbIII and dbIV, db, db7, clipper, Microsoft Fox and FoxPro, harbour, xharbour, and Xbase
  • PRO – IDL
  • POL – Apcera Policy Language doclet
  • PY – Python source
  • R – R source
  • raku, rakumod, rakudoc, rakutest, nqp – Raku Language
  • RED – Red source
  • REDS – Red/System source
  • RB – Ruby source
  • RESX – Resource file for .NET applications
  • RC, RC2 – Resource script files to generate resources for .NET applications
  • RKT, RKTL – Racket source
  • RS – Rust source
  • Resources – Visual Studio Code
  • S – CodeWarrior / PowerPC ASM
  • SCALA – Scala source
  • SCI, SCE – Scilab
  • SCM – Scheme source
  • SD7 – Seed7 source
  • SKB, SKC – Sage Retrieve 4GL Common Area (Main and Amended backup)
  • SKD – Sage Retrieve 4GL Database
  • SKF, SKG – Sage Retrieve 4GL File Layouts (Main and Amended backup)
  • SKI – Sage Retrieve 4GL Instructions
  • SKK – Sage Retrieve 4GL Report Generator
  • SKM – Sage Retrieve 4GL Menu
  • SKO – Sage Retrieve 4GL Program
  • SKP, SKQ – Sage Retrieve 4GL Print Layouts (Main and Amended backup)
  • SKS, SKT – Sage Retrieve 4GL Screen Layouts (Main and Amended backup)
  • SKZ – Sage Retrieve 4GL Security File
  • SLN – Visual Studio solution
  • SPIN – Spin source (for Parallax Propeller microcontrollers)
  • STK – Stickfigure file for Pivot stickfigure animator
  • SWG – SWIG source code
  • TCL – Tcl source code
  • VAP – Visual Studio Analyzer project
  • VB – Visual Basic.NET source
  • VBG – Visual Studio compatible project group
  • VBP, VIP – Visual Basic project
  • VBPROJ – Visual Basic .NET project
  • VCPROJ – Visual C++ project
  • VDPROJ – Visual Studio deployment project
  • XPL – XProc script/pipeline
  • XQ – XQuery file
  • XSL – XSLT stylesheet
  • Y – yacc source

Spreadsheet

Tabulated data

Video

Main article: video file format
  • AAF – mostly intended to hold edit decisions and rendering information, but can also contain compressed media essence
  • 3GP – the most common video format for cell phones
  • GIF – Animated GIF (simple animation; until recently often avoided because of patent problems)
  • ASF – container (enables any form of compression to be used; MPEG-4 is common; video in ASF-containers is also called Windows Media Video (WMV))
  • AVCHD – Advanced Video Codec High Definition
  • AVI – container (a shell, which enables any form of compression to be used)
  • .bik – BIK Bink Video file. A video compression system developed by RAD Game Tools
  • BRAW – a high bitrate video format used by Blackmagic Design cameras.
  • CAM – aMSN webcam log file
  • COLLAB – Blackboard Collaborate session recording
  • DAT – video standard data file (automatically created when we attempted to burn as video file on the CD)
  • DVR-MS – Windows XP Media Center Edition's Windows Media Center recorded television format
  • FLV – Flash video (encoded to run in a flash animation)
  • MPEG-1 – M1V Video
  • MPEG-2 – M2V Video
  • NOA – rare movie format use in some Japanese eroges around 2002
  • FLA – Adobe Flash (for producing)
  • FLR – (text file which contains scripts extracted from SWF by a free ActionScript decompiler named FLARE)
  • SOL – Adobe Flash shared object ("Flash cookie")
  • STR – Sony PlayStation video stream
  • M4V – video container file format developed by Apple
  • .mkv – Matroska Matroska is a container format, which enables any video format such as MPEG-4 ASP or AVC to be used along with other content such as subtitles and detailed meta information
  • WRAP – MediaForge (*.wrap)
  • MNG – mainly simple animation containing PNG and JPEG objects, often somewhat more complex than animated GIF
  • .mov – QuickTime container which enables any form of compression to be used; Sorenson codec is the most common; QTCH is the filetype for cached video and audio streams
  • .mpeg, .mpg, .mpe – MPEG
  • THP – Nintendo proprietary movie/video format
  • MPEG-4 – MPEG-4 Part 14, shortened "MP4" multimedia container (most often used for Sony's PlayStation Portable and Apple's iPod)
  • MXF – Material Exchange Format (standardized wrapper format for audio/visual material developed by SMPTE)
  • ROQ – used by Quake III Arena
  • NSV – NSV Nullsoft Streaming Video (media container designed for streaming video content over the Internet)
  • Ogg – container, multimedia
  • RM – RealMedia
  • SVI – SVI Samsung video format for portable players
  • SMI – SMI SAMI Caption file (HTML like subtitle for movie files)
  • .smk – SMK Smacker video file. A video compression system developed by RAD Game Tools
  • SWF – Adobe Flash (for viewing)
  • .TORRENT – A file that does not hold the video, but simply where the video is located (Can also be used to store the location of a software or audio)
  • WMV – Windows Media Video (See ASF)
  • WTV – Windows Vista's and up Windows Media Center recorded television format
  • YUV – raw video format; resolution (horizontal x vertical) and sample structure 4:2:2 or 4:2:0 must be known explicitly
  • WebM – video file format for web video using HTML5

Video editing, production

Video game data

List of common file formats of data for video games on systems that support filesystems, most commonly PC games.

osu!

These formats are used by the video game osu!.

  • OSK – Compressed skin archive
  • OSR – Compressed replay archive
  • OSZ – Compressed beatmap archive
  • OSB – storyboard data
  • OSC – osu!stream combined stream data
  • OSF2 – free osu!stream song file
  • OSR – replay data
  • OSU – beatmap data
  • OSZ2 – paid osu!stream song file
  • OSG – compressed live gameplay archive (optimized for spectating)

Minecraft

These formats are used by the video game Minecraft.

  • MCADDON – Bedrock Edition add-ons and resource packs
  • MCFUNCTION – functions/scripts
  • MCMETA – customizable texture packs
  • MCPACK – Bedrock Edition in-game texture packs and full add-ons
  • MCR – data for in-game worlds before version 1.2
  • MCTEMPLATE – Bedrock Edition world templates
  • MCWORLD – Bedrock Edition in-game worlds
  • NBS – used by Note Block Studio, a tool that can be used to make songs with note blocks in-game
  • EPK – used by Eaglercraft, an AOT compiled port of Minecraft which has been modified to run under TeaVM, a Java emulator for HTML5 & Javascript, for saving world data, resource packs, profiles and more.

TrackMania/Maniaplanet Engine

Formats used by games based on the TrackMania engine.

  • GBX – All user-created content is stored in this file type.
    • REPLAY.GBX – Stores the replay of a race.
    • CHALLENGE.GBX, MAP.GBX – Stores tracks/maps.
    • SYSTEMCONFIG.GBX – Launcher info.
    • TRACKMANIAVEHICLE.GBX – Info about a certain car type.
    • VEHICLETUNINGS.GBX – Vehicle physics.
    • SOLID.GBX – A block's model.
    • ITEM.GBX – Custom Maniaplanet item.
    • BLOCK.GBX – Custom Maniaplanet block.
    • TEXTURE.GBX – Info about a texture that are used in materials.
    • MATERIAL.GBX – Info about a material such as surface type that are used in Solids.
    • TMEDCLASSIC.GBX – Block info.
    • GHOST.GBX – Player ghosts in Trackmania and TrackMania Turbo.
    • CONTROLSTYLE.GBX – Menu files.
    • SCORES.GBX – Stores info about the player's best times.
    • PROFILE.GBX – Stores a player's info such as their login.
  • DDS – Almost every texture in the game uses this format.
  • PAK – Stores environment data such as valid blocks.
  • LOC – A locator. Locators allow the game to download content such as car skins from an external server.
  • SCRIPT.TXT – Scripts for Maniaplanet such as menus and game modes.
  • XML – ManiaLinks.

Doom engine

Formats used by games based on the Doom engine.

  • WAD – Data storage (contains music, maps, and textures)
  • DEH – DeHackEd files to mutate the game executable (not officially part of the Doom engine)
  • DSG – Saved game
  • LMP – A "lump", an entry in a WAD file
  • LMP – Saved demo recording
  • MUS – Music file (usually contained within a WAD file)

Quake engine

Formats used by games based on the Quake engine.

  • BSP – BSP: (For binary space partitioning) compiled map format
  • MAP – MAP: Raw map format used by editors like GtkRadiant or QuArK
  • MDL, MD2, MD3, MD5 – MDL/MD2/MD3/MD5: Model for an item used in the game
  • PAK, PK2 – PAK/PK2: Data storage
  • PK3, PK4 – PK3/PK4: used by the Quake II, Quake III Arena and Quake 4 game engines, respectively, to store game data, textures etc. They are actually .zip files.
  • .dat – not specific file type, often generic extension for "data" files for a variety of applications, sometimes used for general data contained within the .PK3/PK4 files
    • .fontdat – a .dat file used for formatting game fonts
  • .roq – Video format
  • .sav – Savegame/Savefile format

Unreal Engine

Formats used by games based on the Unreal engine.

  • FUK – Map File for Postal 2
  • U – Unreal script format
  • UASSET – An asset format since Unreal Engine 4/5.
  • UAX – Animations format for Unreal Engine 2.
  • UMAP – Map file type for Unreal Engine and levels.
  • UMX – Map format for Unreal Tournament
  • UMX – Music format for Unreal Engine 1
  • UNR – Map format for Unreal
  • UPK – Package format for cooked content in Unreal Engine 3
  • USX – Sound format for Unreal Engine 1 and Unreal Engine 2
  • UT2 – Map format for Unreal Tournament 2003 and Unreal Tournament 2004
  • UT3 – Map format for Unreal Tournament 3
  • UTX – Texture format for Unreal Engine 1 and Unreal Engine 2
  • UXX – Cache format; these are files a client downloaded from server (which can be converted to regular formats)

Duke Nukem 3D Engine

Formats used by games based on this engine.

  • DMO – Save game
  • GRP – Data storage
  • MAP – Map (usually constructed with BUILD.EXE)

Diablo Engine

Formats used by Diablo by Blizzard Entertainment.

  • SV – Save Game
  • ITM – Item File

Real Virtuality Engine

Formats used by Bohemia Interactive. Operation:Flashpoint, ARMA 2, VBS2

  • SQF – Format used for general editing
  • SQM – Format used for mission files
  • PBO – Binarized file used for compiled models
  • LIP – Format that is created from WAV files to create in-game accurate lip-sync for character animations.

Roblox Studio engine

RBXL – Roblox Studio place file (XML, binary) RBXM – Roblox Studio model file (XML, binary) RBXLX – Roblox Studio place file (exclusively XML) RBXMX – Roblox Studio model file (exclusively XML)

Source engine

Formats used by Valve. Half-Life 2, Counter-Strike: Source, Day of Defeat: Source, Half-Life 2: Episode One, Team Fortress 2, Half-Life 2: Episode Two, Portal, Left 4 Dead, Left 4 Dead 2, Alien Swarm, Portal 2, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Titanfall, Insurgency, Titanfall 2, Day of Infamy

  • BSP – Source Engine compiled map file
  • DEM – Source Engine demo format
  • HL2 – Half-Life 2 save format
  • MDL – Source Engine model format
  • PCF – Source Engine particle effect file
  • SAV – Source Engine save format
  • SMD – Source Engine uncompiled model format
  • VMF – Valve Hammer Map editor raw map file
  • VMT – Source Engine material format.
  • VMX – Valve Hammer Map editor backup map file
  • VPK – Source Engine pack format
  • VTF – Source Engine texture format

Pokémon generation V

Other formats

  • ARC – used to store New Super Mario Bros. Wii level data
  • B – used for Grand Theft Auto saved game files
  • BOL – used for levels on Poing!PC
  • DBPF – The Sims 2, DBPF, Package
  • DIVA – Project DIVA timings, element coordinates, MP3 references, notes, animation poses and scores.
  • ESM, ESP – Master and Plugin data archives for the Creation Engine
  • HAMBU – format used by the Aidan's Funhouse game RGTW for storing map data[33]
  • HE0, HE2, HE4 – HE games File
  • GCF – format used by the Steam content management system for file archives
  • IMG – format used by Renderware-based Grand Theft Auto games for data storage
  • LOVE – format used by the LOVE2D Engine[34]
  • MAP – format used by Halo: Combat Evolved for archive compression, Doom³, and various other games
  • MCA – format used by Minecraft for storing data for in-game worlds[35]
  • NBT – format used by Minecraft for storing program variables along with their (Java) type identifiers
  • OEC – format used by OE-Cake for scene data storage
  • P3D – format for panda3d by Disney
  • PLAGUEINC – format used by Plague Inc. for storing custom scenario information[36]
  • POD – format used by Terminal Reality
  • RCT – Used for templates and save files in RollerCoaster Tycoon games
  • REP – used by Blizzard Entertainment for scenario replays in StarCraft
  • RIQ – Used in Heaven Studio to store custom maps
  • Simcity, DBPF, .dat, .SC4Lot, .SC4Model – All game plugins use this format, commonly with different file extensions (Sim City 4)
  • SMZIP – ZIP-based package for StepMania songs, themes and announcer packs.
  • SOLITAIRETHEME8 – A solitaire theme for Windows solitaire
  • UNI, UNIS – Super Mario UniMaker level data
  • USLD – format used by Unison Shift to store level layouts.
  • VVVVVV – format used by VVVVVV
  • CPS – format used by The Powder Toy, Powder Toy save
  • STM – format used by The Powder Toy, Powder Toy stamp
  • PKG – format used by Bungie for the PC Beta of Destiny 2, for nearly all the game's assets.
  • CHR – format used by Team Salvato, for the character files of Doki Doki Literature Club!
  • Z5 – format used by Z-machine for story files in interactive fiction.
  • scworld – format used by Survivalcraft to store sandbox worlds.
  • scskin – format used by Survivalcraft to store player skins.
  • scbtex – format used by Survivalcraft to store block textures.
  • prison – format used by Prison Architect to save prisons
  • escape – format used by Prison Architect to save escape attempts
  • WBFS – (Wii Backup File System)
  • .GBA – Game Boy Advance ROM File
  • .GMD – Geometry Dash Level Data
  • .jkr – format used by Balatro for data storage
  • .pss – Sony PlayStation 2 Game Video file and is used to store audio and video data by games for the PlayStation 2 console.
  • .xd – A format used in a mod (XDBot) for Geometry Dash to save macros, (a format to replay inputs.) This is saved within the Documents section in File Explorer for Windows 10.

Video game storage media

List of the most common filename extensions used when a game's ROM image or storage medium is copied from an original read-only memory (ROM) device to an external memory such as hard disk for back up purposes or for making the game playable with an emulator. In the case of cartridge-based software, if the platform specific extension is not used then filename extensions ".rom" or ".bin" are usually used to clarify that the file contains a copy of a content of a ROM. ROM, disk or tape images usually do not consist of one file or ROM, rather an entire file or ROM structure contained within one file on the backup medium.[37]

Virtual machines

Microsoft Virtual PC, Virtual Server

  • .vfd – Virtual Floppy Disk
  • .vhd – Virtual Hard Disk
  • .vud – Virtual Undo Disk
  • .vmc – Virtual Machine Configuration
  • .vsv – Virtual Machine Saved State

VMware ESX, GSX, Workstation, Player

  • .log – Virtual Machine Logfile
  • .vmdk, .dsk – Virtual Machine Disk
  • .nvram – Virtual Machine BIOS
  • .vmem – Virtual Machine paging file
  • .vmsd – Virtual Machine snapshot metadata
  • .vmsn – Virtual Machine snapshot
  • .vmss, .std – Virtual Machine suspended state
  • .vmtm – Virtual Machine team data
  • .vmx, .cfg – Virtual Machine configuration
  • .vmxf – Virtual Machine team configuration

VirtualBox

  • .vbox – VirtualBox machine
  • .vdi – VirtualBox virtual disk image
  • .vbox-extpack – VirtualBox extension pack

Parallels Workstation

  • .hdd – Virtual Machine hard disk
  • .pvs – Virtual Machine preferences/configuration
  • .sav – Virtual Machine saved state

QEMU

  • .cow – Copy-on-write
  • .qcow – QEMU copy-on-write
  • .qcow2 – QEMU copy-on-write – version 2
  • .qed – QEMU enhanced disk format

Web page

Static

  • DTD – Document Type Definition (standard), MUST be public and free
  • .html, .htm – HTML HyperText Markup Language
  • .xhtml, .xht – XHTML eXtensible HyperText Markup Language
  • .mht, .mhtml – MHTML Archived HTML, store all data on one web page (text, images, etc.) in one big file
  • .maff – MAF web archive based on ZIP

Dynamically generated

  • .asp – ASP Microsoft Active Server Page
  • .aspx – ASPX Microsoft Active Server Page. NET
  • .adp – ADP AOLserver Dynamic Page
  • .bml – BML Better Markup Language (templating)
  • .cfm – CFM ColdFusion
  • .cgi – CGI
  • .ihtml – iHTML Inline HTML
  • .jsp – JSP JavaServer Pages
  • .las, .lasso, .lassoapp – Lasso, A file created or served with the Lasso Programming Language
  • .pl – Perl
  • .php, .php?, .phtml – PHP ? is version number (previously abbreviated Personal Home Page, later changed to PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor)
  • .shtml – SSI HTML with Server Side Includes (Apache)
  • .stm – SSI HTML with Server Side Includes (Apache)

Markup languages and other web standards-based formats

  • .atom, .xml – Atom Another syndication format.
  • .eml – EML Format used by several desktop email clients.
  • .jsonld – JSON-LD A JSON-based serialization for linked data.
  • .kprx – KPRX A XML-based serialization for workflow definition generated by K2.
  • .ps – PS A XML-based serialization for test automation scripts called PowerScripts for K2 based applications.
  • .metalink, .met – Metalink A format to list metadata about downloads, such as mirrors, checksums, and other information.
  • .rss, .xml – RSS Syndication format.
  • .markdown, .md – Markdown Plain text formatting syntax, which is popularly used to format "readme" files.
  • .se – Shuttle Another lightweight markup language.

Other

  • AXD – cookie extensions found in temporary internet folder
  • APK – Android Package Kit
  • BDF – Binary Data Format – raw data from recovered blocks of unallocated space on a hard drive
  • CBP – CD Box Labeler Pro, CentraBuilder, Code::Blocks Project File, Conlab Project
  • CEX – SolidWorks Enterprise PDM Vault File
  • COL – Nintendo GameCube proprietary collision file (.col)
  • CREDX – CredX Dat File
  • DDB – Generating code for Vocaloid singers voice (see .DDI)
  • DDI – Vocaloid phoneme library (Japanese, English, Korean, Spanish, Chinese, Catalan)
  • DUPX – DuupeCheck database management tool project file
  • FTM – Family Tree Maker data file
  • FTMB – Family Tree Maker backup file
  • GA3 – Graphical Analysis 3
  • .ged – GEDCOM (GEnealogical Data COMmunication) format to exchange genealogy data between different genealogy software
  • HLP – Windows or CP/M help file
  • IGC – flight tracks downloaded from GPS devices in the FAI's prescribed format
  • INF – similar format to INI file; used to install device drivers under Windows, inter alia.
  • JAM – JAM Message Base Format for BBSes
  • KMC – tests made with KatzReview's MegaCrammer
  • KCL – Nintendo GameCube/Wii proprietary collision file (.kcl)
  • KTR – Hitachi Vantara Pentaho Data Integration/Kettle Transformation Project file
  • LNK – Microsoft Windows format for Hyperlinks to Executables
  • LSM – LSMaker script file (program using layered .jpg to create special effects; specifically designed to render lightsabers from the Star Wars universe) (.lsm)
  • MCR – a macro recording file for Super Macro software (.mcr)
  • MELSAVE – Melon Playground build save file
  • MELMOD – Melon Playground mod file
  • NARC – archive format used in Nintendo DS games
  • OER – AU OER Tool, Open Educational Resource editor
  • PA – Used to assign sound effects to materials in KCL files (.pa)
  • PIF – Used to run MS-DOS programs under Windows
  • POR – So called "portable" SPSS files, readable by PSPP
  • PXZ – Compressed file to exchange media elements with PSALMO
  • RISE – File containing RISE generated information model evolution
  • SCR – Windows Screen Saver file
  • TOPC – TopicCrunch SEO Project file holding keywords, domain, and search engine settings (ASCII)
  • XLF – Utah State University Extensible LADAR Format
  • XMC – Assisted contact lists format, based on XML and used in kindergartens and schools
  • ZED – My Heritage Family Tree
  • zone – Zone file a text file containing a DNS zone
  • FX – Microsoft DirectX plain text effects and properties for the associated file and are used to specify the textures, shading, rendering, lighting and other 3D effects (.fx)
  • MIFRAMES – Mine-imator keyframes file (.miframes)
  • MILANGUAGE – Mine-Imator language data file (.milanguage)
  • MIDATA – Mine-Imator data file (.midata)
  • BCA – Short for Burst Cutting Area Holds the information of the circular area near the center of a DVD, HD DVD or Blu-ray Disc, it is usually 64 bytes in size. (.bca)

Cursors

  • ANI – Animated cursor
  • CUR – Cursor file
  • Smes – Hawk's Dock configuration file

Generalized files

General data formats

These file formats are fairly well defined by long-term use or a general standard, but the content of each file is often highly specific to particular software or has been extended by further standards for specific uses.

Text-based

Generic file extensions

These are filename extensions and broad types reused frequently with differing formats or no specific format by different programs.

Binary files

  • .bak, .bk – Bak file various backup formats: some just copies of data files, some in application-specific data backup formats, some formats for general file backup programs
  • BIN – binary data, often memory dumps of executable code or data to be re-used by the same software that originated it
  • DAT – data file, usually binary data proprietary to the program that created it, or an MPEG-1 stream of Video CD
  • DSK – file representations of various disk storage images
  • RAW – raw (unprocessed) data
  • SZH – files that are associated with zero unique file types (the most prevalent being the Binary Data format)

Text files

  • .cnf, .conf, .cfg – configuration file substantially software-specific
  • .log – logfiles usually text, but sometimes binary
  • .asc, .text, .txt – human-readable plain text, usually no more specific

Partial files

Differences and patches

  • diff – text file differences created by the program diff and applied as updates by patch

Incomplete transfers

Temporary files

  • .temp, .tmp – Temporary file sometimes in a specific format, but often just raw data in the middle of processing
  • Pseudo-pipelines, Pseudo-pipeline – Pseudo-pipeline file used to simulate a software pipe

See also

References

  1. ^ "Filename extension definition". The Linux Information Project. Retrieved 1 February 2019.
  2. ^ "What Is a Cabinet (.cab) File?". microsoft.com. Microsoft.
  3. ^ "What is graphics interchange format video (GIFV)?". Lenovo.com.
  4. ^ "How do I open a .pnj file?". FileSuffix.com.
  5. ^ microsoft/uf2, Microsoft, 15 September 2024, retrieved 15 September 2024
  6. ^ a b "3D printing with Windows 10". microsoft.com. Microsoft.
  7. ^ "www.datacad.com – DataCAD Revision History". datacad.com.
  8. ^ "How to export a design in Fusion 360". Knowledge.autodesk.com. Retrieved 4 August 2019.
  9. ^ "Windows XML Event Log (EVTX) format". github.com.
  10. ^ "Reagency Systems – easyOFFER the OREA and TREB real estate forms software solution details". reagency.ca. Archived from the original on 19 June 2020. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
  11. ^ "Incredibly Flexible Data Storage (IFDS) File Format". Github.com. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  12. ^ "GML Format". gephi.org.
  13. ^ "Create, manage, and import swatches in InDesign". Helpx.adobe.com. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
  14. ^ "Swatch Book – Inkscape Wiki". Wiki.inkscape.org. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
  15. ^ "Palette Docker – Krita Manual version 4.1". Docs.krita.org. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
  16. ^ "v1.2 Palette · mypaint/mypaint Wiki". GitHub.com. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
  17. ^ "Index of /pdf/perq/accent_S5/Accent_UsersManual_1984". Bitsavers.org. Retrieved 4 August 2019.
  18. ^ a b RSTS-11 System Users Guide (PDF) (DEC-11-ORSUA-D-D (RSTS/E V06A-02) ed.). Digital Equipment Corporation. 1975. pp. 2–16–2–17. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 March 2011. Retrieved 22 March 2011.
  19. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 December 2017. Retrieved 24 March 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  20. ^ Srivastava, Deepansh; Vosegaard, Thomas; Massiot, Dominique; Grandinetti, Philip (January 2020). "Core Scientific Dataset Model: A lightweight and portable model and file format for multi- dimensional scientific data". PLOS ONE. 15 (1): e0225953. Bibcode:2020PLoSO..1525953S. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0225953. PMC 6940021. PMID 31895936.
  21. ^ "Definition of NCF file". PCMAG. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  22. ^ Bastiaansen, Rob; Vugt, Sander van (9 May 2006). Novell Cluster Services for Linux and NetWare. Pearson Education. p. 27. ISBN 978-0-672-33283-8. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  23. ^ a b "Filename extensions".
  24. ^ a b c "Setting Up and Using PuTTY". Wipo.int.
  25. ^ a b c "How to Convert Your Putty .PPK Private Key to a Normal SSH Key You Can Use on an Apple Mac | These things are far too hard". leadingedgescripts.co.uk. Archived from the original on 11 July 2012. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  26. ^ a b c Leo Notenboom. "How do I create and use Public Keys with SSH?"
  27. ^ a b Jayasooriya, Tarith (16 September 2020). "nSign". nsign. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  28. ^ "SAC Data File Format". Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology.
  29. ^ "Standard for the Exchange of Earthquake Data" (PDF). Data Formats. IRIS (Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology). Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  30. ^ "What is WIN system?" (in Japanese). Earthquake Observation Center, Earthquake Research Institute, U. Tokyo, Japan. Archived from the original on 2 April 2016. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  31. ^ "TAK". hydrogenaud.io.
  32. ^ Tim Fisher. "BRSTM File (What It Is & How To Open One)". About.com Tech. Archived from the original on 5 May 2016. Retrieved 20 March 2012.
  33. ^ "HAMBU File Extension – What is a .hambu file and how do I open it?". fileinfo.com. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
  34. ^ love2d.org
  35. ^ "MCA File Extension". FileInfo.com. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
  36. ^ "FileInfo information about PLAGUEINC file format".
  37. ^ ".GCM file extension! [Archive] – EmuTalk.net". emutalk.net. 21 June 2004.
  38. ^ Medley, Sam (20 September 2018). "You can now play your own NES ROMs on Nintendo Switch Online thanks to a new hack". Notebookcheck. Retrieved 9 November 2022.