What is MIME type "application/sdp"?

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

application/sdp is the MIME type for files that use the Session Description Protocol.
This protocol details how to initialize and control multimedia sessions like streaming, video conferencing, or VoIP calls.
It conveys session information in plain text, including media type, transport protocol, network port, and timing details.
Files with this MIME type usually have the extension SDP.

Used to describe and manage streaming media sessions.
Helps set up VoIP and video conferencing calls.
Assists multimedia applications in sharing session parameters.

This text-based approach makes it easy for systems to parse session details quickly during connection setup.
For deeper technical insights, consult the RFC 4566 documentation.

Associated file extensions

.sdp

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: application/sdp

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.sdp

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.