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

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

application/x-xml tells programs that a file contains structured data in XML format.
It signals that the content uses an extensible markup language for storing and exchanging information.
Files of this type are plain text and follow a strict, nested structure that helps both humans and machines process the data quickly.
A file marked as XML often holds data, settings, or configuration details. It may also come in forms that define schemas or styles.
For example, a file with a XSD extension defines rules for validating XML data, while a file with a XSL extension provides instructions for transforming XML into other formats.

Main use: Deliver structured, machine-readable data.
Used in data exchange between systems and applications.
Supports configuration files and web service communications.

Learn more about XML standards at W3C XML.

Associated file extensions

.xml, .xsd, .xsl

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: application/x-xml

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.xml, .xsd, .xsl

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.