What is MIME type "application/x-mobipocket-ebook"?

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

application/x-mobipocket-ebook is the MIME type for ebook files built for the Mobipocket system.
It tells software that the file is meant to display formatted text and images for an enhanced reading experience.

This type makes sure that the file is opened by the right ebook reader.
It handles features like navigation, bookmarks, and metadata embedded within the file.

Files using this MIME type include MOBI and PRC.

Main use case: Displaying digital books on e-readers and ebook software.
Other uses: Converting and sharing ebook formats among different devices.
Key benefit: Preserving rich formatting and embedded navigation tools.

For extra technical details, visit Mobipocket on Wikipedia.

Associated file extensions

.mobi, .prc

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: application/x-mobipocket-ebook

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.mobi, .prc

FAQs

How do I configure Apache to serve MOBI files correctly?

To ensure your Apache server sends the correct headers for Mobipocket files, add the following line to your .htaccess file or main configuration: AddType application/x-mobipocket-ebook .mobi .prc. This prevents browsers from misinterpreting the file as generic binary data.

Can web browsers display application/x-mobipocket-ebook files natively?

No, most modern web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge) cannot render MOBI or PRC files natively. When a user clicks a link with this MIME type, the browser will typically prompt the user to download the file rather than displaying it within the tab.

What is the relationship between application/x-mobipocket-ebook and Amazon Kindle?

This MIME type represents the format originally developed by Mobipocket, which was acquired by Amazon. While modern Kindles use newer formats like AZW3 or KFX, they still support application/x-mobipocket-ebook for backward compatibility with older content.

How do I add support for this MIME type in Nginx?

You can enable support by editing your mime.types file or your nginx.conf server block. Add the directive application/x-mobipocket-ebook mobi prc; inside the types { ... } block and reload Nginx to apply the changes.

What software is recommended for opening files with this MIME type?

Files served as application/x-mobipocket-ebook are best opened with dedicated e-reader software. Popular desktop options include Calibre, Kindle for PC/Mac, and FBReader, which can interpret the embedded navigation and formatting tags.

Should I use application/x-mobipocket-ebook or application/epub+zip for my ebooks?

Unless you are specifically targeting older Amazon Kindle devices, standard practice is to use application/epub+zip (EPUB). EPUB is an open standard supported by virtually all non-Amazon e-readers and has better support for modern styling.

Why does the .prc extension share this MIME type?

The PRC extension stands for "Palm Resource," a container format used by Palm OS. When a PRC file contains a Mobipocket ebook, it is identified as application/x-mobipocket-ebook; however, generic PRC files might use application/x-pilot depending on their content.

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.