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

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

application/x-rar is a MIME type used for compressed archives created in the RAR format. It indicates that the file contains one or more files bundled together and often compressed to save space.

Purpose: This MIME type lets programs know how to process a RAR archive. Systems and browsers use it to trigger the right handling procedure, much like any other file type.

Functionality: When a file tagged as application/x-rar is encountered, software designed for compressed data will unpack and display the contents. The format supports features like multi-volume archives and optional encryption.

Data Compression: Reduces file size for storage and transfer.
File Archiving: Bundles multiple files into one container.
Backup: Helps organize and secure collections of files.
Distribution: Facilitates the sharing of large file sets online.

For more technical details, see the information on the RAR archive file type.

Associated file extensions

.rar

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: application/x-rar

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.rar

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.