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

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-kword identifies files created by KWord, the word processor component of the KOffice suite. It signals that the file contains structured document data with rich formatting and layout instructions.

Files using this type are mainly used for composing and editing documents. They may include hidden formatting details and multimedia elements to provide advanced page layouts and printed outputs.

Key use cases include:

Content Editing: Processes complex text layouts and styling for digital documents.
Template Management: Enables consistent document design with custom templates.
Application Integration: Helps the operating system and software determine the correct application (KWord) to open the file.

Files using this MIME type have file signatures such as KWD for documents and KWT for templates. This standardization aids in proper file recognition and handling across systems.

For further details on how KWord integrates with the KOffice suite, visit KOffice on Wikipedia.

Associated file extensions

.kwd, .kwt

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: application/x-kword

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.kwd, .kwt

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.