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

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

application/x-url marks files that work as Internet shortcuts. These files store a web address in plain text. When you open one, your operating system launches your default browser and navigates to that address.

The file content often resembles a simple configuration file. It may include key-value pairs that identify the URL and, sometimes, a friendly name. This minimal format makes it easy for software to read and act upon.

Desktop Shortcuts: Quickly access web pages from your desktop.
Link Redirection: Seamlessly guide a click to the correct online resource.
System Integration: Let the operating system recognize and manage web addresses.

Files using this MIME type typically have the extension URL. For more details on file behavior and extensions, check out external resources such as Filext.

Associated file extensions

.url

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: application/x-url

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.url

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.