What is MIME type "audio/usac"?

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

The MIME type audio/usac relates to the Unified Speech and Audio Coding standard. This codec is built to encode both speech and music efficiently, even at low bit rates.

Its main features include:

Efficient audio streaming – lowers bandwidth use in online communications.
High audio quality – handles clear speech and rich music alike.
Wide application – used in mobile apps, VoIP, and various streaming services.

Files using this MIME type often come with extensions like LOAS and XHE.

The USAC standard is designed to work well in low latency environments while maintaining robust audio fidelity. Its modern encoding techniques make it a strong choice for applications where both quality and efficient resource use are critical.

Additional details on audio codecs can be found at sources such as the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

Associated file extensions

.loas, .xhe

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: audio/usac

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.loas, .xhe

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.