What is MIME type "audio/asf"?

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

The MIME type audio/asf tells the system that the file contains audio data in the ASF container—a format created by Microsoft.

Files using this type use the ASF extension. This container is built for smooth streaming and efficient data management.

Primary Use: Designed for streaming audio content over networks.
Metadata Support: Can hold details about the audio, like artist info and track data.
DRM Features: Supports digital rights management to protect media content.
Compatibility: Commonly played in software such as Windows Media Player.

Learn more about the format on the Advanced Systems Format (ASF) - Wikipedia.

Associated file extensions

.asf

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: audio/asf

HTML

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


    <a href="file.dat" type="audio/asf">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', 'audio/asf');
      res.end('Content here');
    }).listen(3000);

Associated file extensions

.asf

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.