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

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

application/x-midi is a MIME type used to identify files that hold musical performance instructions rather than recorded audio.
It represents data based on the Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) standard. MIDI files tell software and hardware what notes to play, when to play them, and which instruments to use.
Unlike digital recordings, these files are lightweight because they store instructions, not complete sounds.

Playback of Synthesized Music: Software and devices read MIDI data to generate sounds via virtual instruments.
Digital Composition: Musicians and composers use MIDI for creating and editing music digitally.
Interactive Applications: Video games and multimedia apps use MIDI for background music and sound effects.
Efficient File Size: MIDI files, such as MIDI and MID, use less storage compared to full audio recordings.

For further insight on how MIDI works, visit this MIDI guide on Wikipedia.

Associated file extensions

.midi, .mid

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: application/x-midi

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.midi, .mid

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.