Know Your Backup File Extensions! Here’s the ONLY List You Need 

When I first started working with websites, backups felt like a mystery. I knew I should do them, but I didn’t really get what I was backing up. Then I started paying attention to the files.

Your backup files likely end in .zip or .sql. Those endings are called “file extensions.”

At first, I ignored those extensions. But then I realized they are like clues. They tell you what kind of file it is and what it does. For example, seeing .sql in a WordPress backup tells you it’s the database – the heart of your website!

Understanding file extensions changed how I looked at backups. It’s not just about making a copy. It’s about knowing what kind of copy you are making and if you have everything you need.

This article is all about those file extensions. I’ll break down the most common ones you’ll see when backing up websites. Knowing these extensions will make you a backup pro!

Table of Contents

Backup File Extension List

Here’s our comprehensive list of different types of backup file extensions.

File Extension	Description	Example
.zip	Common compressed archive format, zipping data files into a folder.	For full website backups, combining files and database.
.tar	Tape Archive format, bundles files together, common in Linux.	Archiving website files, often before further compression (like .gz).
.gz / .gzip	Gzip compressed file, often used to make .tar files smaller (.tar.gz).	Compressing archives (like .tar) to save storage space.
.sql	Database backup file, contains your website’s content and settings.	For exporting/backing up a website’s database.
.dump	Another type of database backup file, similar to .sql.	Also for database backups, often interchangeable with .sql.
.bkp	Generic backup file extension, clearly marks a file as a backup.	For general backups of files or folders, when format is less critical.
.backup	Same as .bkp, a general extension indicating a backup.	Similar to .bkp, for broad backup purposes.
.daf	DupArchive format, used by Duplicator Pro for larger, complex sites.	Specifically for Duplicator Pro backups of large websites.
.7z	Another compressed archive format, known for high compression.	Archiving large files or backups where high compression is desired.
.rar	Popular compressed archive format, similar to .zip.	Archiving backups, similar use cases to .zip.
.bak	Short for “backup,” a simple extension for backup files.	For backup copies of configuration files or important log files.
.docx	File extension for Microsoft Word documents.	Backing up word processing documents.
.xlsx	File extension for Microsoft Excel spreadsheets.	Backing up spreadsheet data.
.pptx	File extension for Microsoft PowerPoint presentations.	Backing up presentation data.
.txt	Plain text files.	Backing up simple text-based data.
.svg	Vector image file format.	Backing up scalable graphics.
.mp3	Audio files in MP3 format.	Backing up music or sound recordings.
.xml	Open XML format, often used for data and documents.	Backing up structured data.

What Are Backup File Extensions?

Ever see those letters at the very end of backup filenames? Like .zip, .tar, or .sql?

These are file extensions, which are clues about the file type. Think of them like little labels. They tell your computer what kind of file it is.

It’s just like a food label in your kitchen. Is it a can of soup? A box of cereal? A bottle of juice? The label tells you what’s inside.

File extensions do the same thing. They tell your computer if it’s looking at a document, an image, or a website backup.

Understanding these “labels” is really helpful. It helps you quickly spot your backup files. And finding them fast means you can restore your website faster.

Common Backup File Extensions

There are lots of different backup file extensions. It might seem like a jumble at first.

Don’t worry! We can sort through the most common ones together. Let’s explain what each one means without all the techy jargon.

.zip

ZIP is a common backup file format that supports lossless data compression. ZIP files are used to reduce the size of files and folders, and to bundle multiple files together into a single archive for easier storage and transfer.

Think about “zipping up” a jacket. You close it all together, right? ZIP files are similar. It’s a common file format to compress files and folders into one package.

This is the format that many backup plugins use by default. For example, when you make a backup with Duplicator, it’s usually a .zip file. It helps save space and keeps everything neat.

You might see a file named something like website_backup_today.zip. That .zip tells you it’s a compressed backup archive.

.tar

.tar stands for “Tape Archive”. It’s like a .zip file because it’s a collection of saved files. However, .tar files aren’t zipped.

You see .tar files a lot if you use Linux computers. It’s a common format in that world.

It is commonly used to create backups of directories and files. It’s often combined with compression utilities like gzip.

.gz or .gzip

GZIP is a file format used for file compression and decompression. It typically uses the .gz or .gzip extensions. GZIP is often used to compress single files, or to compress TAR archives, resulting in .tar.gz or .tgz files.

“Gzipped” just means it’s compressed using a special method. Think of it like squeezing even more air out of a vacuum-sealed bag.

.gz files are often used with .tar files. You’ll see files like .tar.gz. This is double-zipping your files for extra compression.

A file named website_backup.tar.gz is a .tar archive that’s been compressed even further with gzip.

.sql

.sql stands for “Structured Query Language.” Simply put, .sql files are for your database.

Your database is where all your website’s important stuff lives. Things like your posts, pages, settings, and user info. It’s super important to back it up!

You might see your database backup as website_database.sql. That’s your website’s database in a file.

.dump

.dump is a generic term for a file that contains a copy of data from a database. .dump files can be in various formats depending on the system that created them. They often require specific tools to restore.

In the context of databases, it’s similar to a .sql file but might be in a binary format or a different text-based format specific to the database system.

You could have a file named database_backup_Feb2025.dump. That’s another database backup file.

.bkp or .backup

.bkp is a very generic extension often used to indicate a backup file. .bkp files can be in any format, as it is simply a user-defined or application-defined extension to signify that the file is a backup copy of something. You’d need to know the context or application that created the .bkp file to understand its specific format.

.bkp or .backup are very straightforward. They clearly tell you, “Hey, I’m a backup file!” They might not be as specific as .zip or .sql, but they are still helpful to spot.

You might find files like website_backup.bkp or full_site.backup. Easy to understand, right?

.daf

.daf is special! It’s a custom backup file format created by Duplicator, a backup plugin used by over 1 million website owners.

DupArchive was designed to avoid common timeout issues for large sites. It creates the backup in manageable chunks instead of doing everything at once and overwhelming the server.

It’s great at backing up or migrating more complex websites. I’ve seen it work wonders with really large sites (up to 400GB!).

If you choose to use a DupArchive, your backup files will be .daf files. You’ll get a file like website-backup.daf.

Why Knowing File Extensions Matters for Backups

At some point, you may need to get your website back online, fast. You go to your cloud storage or local server and see a long list of files.

Some have dates in the names. Some have cryptic words. Which one do you actually need to restore your website?

Without knowing file extensions, it’s a guessing game. It can feel overwhelming.

From what I’ve seen, people start clicking randomly. They open file after file, hoping to find the right one.

This takes time. And while you are searching, your website is still offline. That’s lost visitors. That could be lost sales.

But, if you understand file extensions, things change. Immediately, your eyes are drawn to .zip, .daf, or .sql files.

You recognize these extensions and instantly know: “These are my backup files!” No more guessing. No more random clicking.

Because you know what to look for, you find your backup quickly. This means you can start the restore process right away. Getting your site back online becomes much faster.

Every minute saved is important when your website is down. Knowing file extensions is a straightforward way to save that time and prioritize data protection. It makes website recovery less stressful and much more efficient.

Simplify Website Backup Extensions with Duplicator

When you back up your site with Duplicator (the free version or Pro), you download two main files. It’s important to know both.

The first file is the Archive. This is the saved copy of your website. Depending on your customization, it could be a full backup or individual database files.

Usually, this archive file will be a .zip file. This archive file holds everything. All your website files and your database, all together in one place.

The second file is the Installer file. This one is always named installer.php. No matter if you use .zip or .daf for the archive, it always comes with an installer.php file.

Think of installer.php as the tool you need to open up your archive file and restore your website. You absolutely need this file.

So, with Duplicator, you are looking for a pair. A .zip file and installer.php. Or, if you used DupArchive, a .daf file and installer.php.

This two-file system is what makes Duplicator restores so easy, in my experience. No guessing which file to use. It’s clear and straightforward.

For easy disaster recovery, upload both files to your site’s root directory. Search for https://your-domain/installer.php in a browser window and follow the instructions.

For migrations, repeat this process on a different server. Easy!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Backup File Extensions – Not So Scary After All

Backup file extensions might sound a bit technical at first. But really, they are just simple labels.

Knowing these common extensions gives you more control. You can confidently manage your website backups with no more confusion about what’s what.

And when you need to restore your site? You can do it quickly because you’ll know exactly which files to use.

Take a few minutes to look at the list we discussed. Familiarize yourself with .zip, .tar, .sql, .daf, and the others. It’s a small thing you can do today.

Need a backup file that can handle any site, no matter how big? Download Duplicator Pro to back up your site with DupArchive, a custom large site backup file!

While you’re here, I think you’ll like these other WordPress guides:

• How to Back Up a WordPress Site
• How to Restore WordPress From a Backup (In Less Than 5 Minutes)
• STOP Making These Website Backup Mistakes
• WordPress Debugging Tools That Find Errors in Minutes
• How a Travel Website Handles 400GB Backups with Duplicator