What is MIME type "audio/ogg"?

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

The MIME type audio/ogg defines an open container format for digital audio. It is used to encapsulate compressed audio streams from various codecs such as Vorbis, Opus, and Speex. This format is known for its open source nature and wide compatibility.

Primary use: It is mainly used for streaming and storing compressed audio content. This makes it popular in web browsers and media players.
Flexibility: The container can hold several codecs. For example, files like OGG commonly use the Vorbis codec, while OPUS leverages the newer Opus codec.
Secondary uses: It can also encapsulate video data (OGV, OGM) and audio with metadata (OGA). Other variants include SPX for Speex and OGX for the skeleton data that helps manage the streams. Even less common files like SB0 appear from early codec versions.

This format is ideal for web content and multimedia applications because it supports streaming audio and includes metadata for track details. Its open standard means developers can use and modify it freely, promoting innovation and compatibility across different platforms.

For more detailed technical insights, you can check references at Xiph.Org or Wikipedia.

Associated file extensions

.ogg, .opus, .ogv, .spx, .oga, .ogx, .ogm, .sb0

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: audio/ogg

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.ogg, .opus, .ogv, .spx, .oga, .ogx, .ogm, .sb0

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.