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

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

application/vnd.rar is the MIME type for files compressed with the RAR format. It tells your computer that the file is a RAR archive, which bundles many files into one package for easier storage and transfer.

These archives are popular due to their efficient compression and support for features like recovery records and file-splitting. Files using this type include formats like RAR, R00, and REV.

Main Use: Compressing and archiving files to reduce storage space and simplify sharing.
Additional Use Cases: Organizing multiple files, supporting multi-part archives, and including repair data for damaged archives.
Functionality: Often paired with programs like WinRAR to extract and create these archives.

For further details on file formats, visit Filext.com.

Associated file extensions

.rar, .r00, .rev

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: application/vnd.rar

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.rar, .r00, .rev

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.