What is MIME type "audio/wave"?

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

audio/wave is a MIME type that tells software a file holds digital audio data in the Waveform Audio format. It often carries uncompressed audio in a standard RIFF container.

Files marked as WAV or WAVE use this type. It guides programs like media players and editors to process sound correctly.

Main use case: Delivering high-quality, often uncompressed, audio data for reliable playback and editing.
Additional uses: Handling sound in recording software, digital media, and streaming applications.
Key fact: The MIME type ensures proper communication between servers and clients across the web.

For more details on MIME types, see MDN documentation.

Understanding audio/wave helps in troubleshooting media issues and confirming software compatibility with raw audio files.

Associated file extensions

.wav, .wave

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: audio/wave

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.wav, .wave

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.