What is MIME type "application/gzip-compressed"?

A MIME type is a string that tells browsers and other tools how to handle a particular kind of file.

application/gzip-compressed marks files that are compressed with the Gzip algorithm. It is used to shrink file sizes and speed up transfers between systems.

Files with this MIME type are often used in data storage, backup, and software distribution. They help save space and reduce network load during downloads and uploads.

Data Management: Compresses large files to save disk space.
File Transfer: Speeds up uploads and downloads on networks.
Software Distribution: Bundles files for efficient installation and backup.

Files commonly using this type include formats like GZ, EMZ, and TGZ along with similarly patterned names (e.g., *-gz).

For more in-depth details, you can review resources such as the Gzip Wikipedia page or the GNU Gzip site.

Associated file extensions

.gz, .emz, .tgz

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

When serving content with this MIME type, set the Content-Type header:


    Content-Type: application/gzip-compressed

HTML

In HTML, you can specify the MIME type in various elements:


    <a href="file.dat" type="application/gzip-compressed">Download file</a>

Server-side (Node.js)

Setting the Content-Type header in Node.js:


    const http = require('http');
    
    http.createServer((req, res) => {
      res.setHeader('Content-Type', 'application/gzip-compressed');
      res.end('Content here');
    }).listen(3000);

Associated file extensions

.gz, .emz, .tgz

FAQ

What is a MIME type?

A MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) type is a standard that indicates the nature and format of a document, file, or assortment of bytes. MIME types are defined and standardized in IETF's RFC 6838.

MIME types are important because they help browsers and servers understand how to process a file. When a browser receives a file from a server, it uses the MIME type to determine how to display or handle the content, whether it's an image to display, a PDF to open in a viewer, or a video to play.

MIME types consist of a type and a subtype, separated by a slash (e.g., text/html, image/jpeg, application/pdf). Some MIME types also include optional parameters.

How do I find the MIME type for a file?

You can check the file extension or use a file identification tool such as file --mime-type on the command line. Many programming languages also provide libraries to detect MIME types.

Why are multiple MIME types listed for one extension?

Different applications and historical conventions may use alternative MIME identifiers for the same kind of file. Showing them all helps ensure compatibility across systems.