36 catalogued formats
Common File Formats
Some formats are common because they solve a general problem: PDF fixes a layout, ZIP groups files, TXT carries plain text, and JPEG makes a photo portable. This suite is a starting point for choosing a format based on what the recipient needs rather than on the application that created the file.
Why this format suite matters
- The most compatible format is often the least specialized one.
- A fixed-layout PDF is better for delivery, while an editable DOCX is better for collaboration.
- Images have different tradeoffs between transparency, compression, and universal support.
Common formats in this suite
A sample of the catalog. Not every extension has a live converter.
| Format | Extension | MIME | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portable Document Format | application/pdf | PDF common format | |
| JPEG Image | .jpg | image/jpeg | JPG common format |
| Portable Network Graphics | .png | image/png | PNG common format |
| Graphics Interchange Format | .gif | image/gif | GIF common format |
| ZIP Archive | .zip | application/zip | ZIP common format |
| 7-Zip Archive | .7z | application/x-7z-compressed | 7Z common format |
| Audio Video Interleave | .avi | video/x-msvideo | AVI common format |
| Kindle Format 8 | .azw3 | application/vnd.amazon.ebook | AZW3 common format |
| CRDOWNLOAD | .crdownload | application/octet-stream | CRDOWNLOAD common format |
| DjVu Document | .djvu | application/octet-stream | DJVU common format |
| DS STORE | .ds_store | application/octet-stream | DS_STORE common format |
| Electronic Publication | .epub | application/epub+zip | EPUB common format |
| FictionBook 2.0 | .fb2 | application/x-fictionbook+xml | FB2 common format |
| Gzip Compressed | .gz | application/gzip | GZ common format |
| High Efficiency Image Container | .heic | image/heic | HEIC common format |
| HEIF | .heif | application/octet-stream | HEIF common format |
| INF | .inf | application/octet-stream | INF common format |
| LOG | .log | application/octet-stream | LOG common format |
| Apple iTunes Video | .m4v | video/x-m4v | M4V common format |
| Mobipocket E-Book | .mobi | application/x-mobipocket-ebook | MOBI common format |
| Apple QuickTime Movie | .mov | video/quicktime | MOV common format |
| MPEG-4 Part 14 | .mp4 | video/mp4 | MP4 common format |
| MSI | .msi | application/octet-stream | MSI common format |
| NFO | .nfo | application/octet-stream | NFO common format |
| OpenType Font | .otf | font/otf | OTF common format |
| Legacy PowerPoint | .ppt | application/vnd.ms-powerpoint | PPT common format |
| RAR Archive | .rar | application/vnd.rar | RAR common format |
| SQLite Database | .sqlite | application/x-sqlite3 | SQLITE common format |
Showing 28 of 36 catalogued formats. Use the converter directory for supported tools.
Common workflows
Sending documents
Use PDF for fixed layout and DOCX when the recipient must edit the content.
Sharing images
JPEG is safest for photos, while PNG is better for screenshots and transparency.
Packaging files
ZIP groups multiple files and is accepted by most desktop and mobile systems.
Before you convert
Start with the application that must open the result. Use PDF for fixed layout and DOCX when the recipient must edit the content. Keep the original file until the output has been opened and checked. A format name alone does not guarantee compatibility, especially for common file formats data that may include references, layers, or platform-specific metadata.
- Confirm the source file opens correctly in its original application.
- Identify the exact format and version the destination accepts.
- Keep the source until the converted file has been reviewed.
Frequently asked questions
- Which format is best for email?
- Use PDF for documents and JPEG for photos. ZIP is useful for several files, but some mail systems block archives.
- Is PDF editable?
- PDF is designed for fixed layout. Editing usually requires a PDF editor or conversion to an editable document format.
- Why is PNG larger than JPEG?
- PNG is lossless and supports transparency, while JPEG uses lossy compression optimized for photographs.
- Can I convert common formats here?
- Yes, for the pairs with a live converter. Browse the related suites or the full converter directory.
- What should I check before converting a common file formats file?
- Confirm that the source opens in its original application, identify the format the destination requires, and keep an untouched copy. Test one representative file before processing a batch, especially when metadata, links, geometry, or layout matters.