What is MIME type "audio/vnd.wave"?

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

audio/vnd.wave describes a file that stores raw audio data. It tells systems that the file contains sound in a waveform format. This type is used with files like WAV, WAV (also called Wave), and RF64.
It uses a simple chunk structure. Each chunk holds specific information like audio samples or metadata.

The format is known for high-quality, uncompressed audio. Many media players and editing tools support it. The structure makes it easy to retrieve properties like sample rate and bit depth.

This MIME type helps browsers and programs choose the right tools to play or edit the audio. It ensures that the sound is processed correctly and maintains its original quality.

Associated file extensions

.wav, .wave, .rf64

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: audio/vnd.wave
  

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.wav, .wave, .rf64

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.