What is MIME type "audio/mpeg"?

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

audio/mpeg identifies digital audio files encoded using MPEG standards. It tells browsers and media players that a file contains compressed audio data.
This MIME type is essential when streaming or downloading audio. It guarantees that the correct decoding method is applied, leading to smooth playback and compatibility across devices.
It is most widely used for popular formats like MP3. Other MPEG-based formats—such as those seen in MP2 or MPGA files—benefit from the same standardized handling. In some multimedia packages (like digital talking book systems), related files such as WAV, XML, MP4, and others appear alongside the audio stream.

Efficient Streaming: It supports quick, buffer-free audio streaming over the internet.
Optimized Compression: It uses techniques that reduce file sizes while keeping sound quality at acceptable levels.
Wide Compatibility: Nearly all browsers and media players recognize and decode audio/mpeg files.
Consistent Delivery: Developers rely on it to set proper HTTP Content-Type headers for audio content.

For further technical insights, consider reviewing the MDN Web Docs on MIME types.

Associated file extensions

.wav, .xml, .mp4, .mp3, .m3u, .mpg, .m3u8, .opf, .mpeg, .mpa, .mp2, .ncx, .m3a, .mpv, .mpga, .mp1, .mpw, .m1v, .m2a, .m1a, .mp2a

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: audio/mpeg

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.wav, .xml, .mp4, .mp3, .m3u, .mpg, .m3u8, .opf, .mpeg, .mpa, .mp2, .ncx, .m3a, .mpv, .mpga, .mp1, .mpw, .m1v, .m2a, .m1a, .mp2a

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.