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

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

The MIME type application/x-cue supports files that hold disc layout instructions.
A CUE file is plain text. It lists tracks, timings, and how the disc is organized.
It is always paired with a BIN file that contains the raw disc data.

Disc Imaging: Creates a blueprint for accurate disc replication.
Track Layout: Details track order and start points.
Burning Software: Guides programs to correctly read and burn the disc image.

This system helps ensure that CDs or DVDs are duplicated with the proper structure. For more details, see Cue Sheet - Wikipedia.

Associated file extensions

.bin, .cue

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: application/x-cue

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.bin, .cue

FAQs

What is the primary use of application/x-cue?

The MIME type application/x-cue is used for CUE sheets, which are plain text files that define the track layout of a CD or DVD image. These files provide metadata—such as track duration and artist information—needed to interpret the raw data stored in an accompanying .bin file.

How do I configure Apache to serve .cue files correctly?

To ensure Apache delivers CUE files with the correct application/x-cue Content-Type header, add the following directive to your .htaccess file or server configuration: AddType application/x-cue .cue. This prevents browsers from misinterpreting the file as generic text or binary data.

Why can I open an application/x-cue file in a text editor?

Despite the application category in the MIME type, CUE files are structurally plain text. You can open them in Notepad or any code editor to view or modify the file paths and track timings manually, unlike the binary .bin files they reference.

What does the 'x-' prefix mean in application/x-cue?

The x- prefix indicates that this is a non-standard or experimental MIME type that is not officially registered with the IANA. However, application/x-cue has become the de facto standard used by web servers and operating systems to identify CUE sheet files.

Why does my browser download the CUE file instead of playing it?

Browsers do not have native support for mounting disc images or interpreting CUE sheets. When a browser encounters the application/x-cue header, it defaults to downloading the file so you can open it with desktop software like Daemon Tools or ImgBurn.

How do I add support for CUE files in Nginx?

For Nginx servers, you should edit the mime.types file or your specific site configuration block. Add the following line inside the types block: application/x-cue cue;. detailed information on MIME configuration can be found on mime-type.com.

Is a CUE file useful without a BIN file?

Usually, no. A CUE file is just a map; without the corresponding .bin file that contains the actual audio or data, the CUE file cannot be used to burn a disc or mount an image. The CUE file text explicitly references the filename of the binary data it belongs to.

General 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.