What is MIME type "application/rtf"?

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

application/rtf is the MIME type for the Rich Text Format documents.
RTF files store text along with formatting instructions. These instructions tell programs how to display fonts, colors, and styles consistently across different systems.
They are common in word processors and text editors that support rich text.
Files with this format are often referenced as RTF files.

Compatibility: Opens in many word processors and editors.
Flexibility: Stores text styling, such as bold, italics, and underlining.
Portability: Maintains formatting across different operating systems.

This MIME type helps ensure that documents retain their intended look when shared or moved between applications. For more details on file handling, visit the external reference above.

Associated file extensions

.rtf

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: application/rtf

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.rtf

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.