What is MIME type "application/vnd.bmi"?

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

application/vnd.bmi tags a vendor-specific format. It designates files that carry data in a proprietary binary structure. Files using this type use the BMI extension.

This MIME type tells systems and software that the file needs a dedicated application to read or process its complex structure.

Use Case: Sharing and storing proprietary data within a controlled software ecosystem.
Use Case: Managing configuration or specialized datasets for a vendor’s application.
Key Fact: The binary data structure is tailored to the vendor’s specific processes.
Key Fact: Correct MIME handling ensures that only supported programs attempt to process the file.

For additional technical details on MIME types, visit IANA Media Types.

Associated file extensions

.bmi

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: application/vnd.bmi

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.bmi

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.