What is MIME type "application/x-arc"?

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

application/x-arc denotes an archive file type. It tells software that a file contains multiple bundled items, often compressed to save space.
This MIME type usually applies to legacy or specialized archiving tools. It is not an official IANA standard but is commonly seen with older compression utilities.
Files tagged with this type may use extensions such as ARC, ARK, or SUE.

Bundling files: Groups multiple files into one package.
Data compression: Often compresses contents to reduce file size.
Backup and transfer: Facilitates easy storage, backup, and exchange of data.

This MIME type helps programs recognize how to open and handle the archive. For more details on archive file formats, visit Filext.com.

Associated file extensions

.arc, .ark, .sue

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: application/x-arc

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.arc, .ark, .sue

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.