What is MIME type "application/mp4"?

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

The MIME type application/mp4 signals that a file uses the MPEG-4 container format. This container holds digital media like video, audio, or both. It tells the system and browsers to handle the file with modern media players.

Files following this format include MP4, M4A, M4V, F4V, F4A, and MP4S.

This MIME type is central for streaming video online.
It supports efficient compression while keeping quality high.
It works with various codecs to manage sound and picture effectively.
It ensures consistent playback on web, mobile, and desktop platforms.

The format is widely used, offering flexible multimedia support across many devices. For more details, visit MPEG-4 standards.

Associated file extensions

.mp4, .m4a, .m4v, .f4v, .f4a, .mp4s

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: application/mp4

HTML

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


    <a href="file.dat" type="application/mp4">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/mp4');
      res.end('Content here');
    }).listen(3000);

Associated file extensions

.mp4, .m4a, .m4v, .f4v, .f4a, .mp4s

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.