What is MIME type "audio/x-gsm"?

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

audio/x-gsm is a MIME type that marks files encoded with the GSM audio codec. It focuses on compressing human speech and is used in systems where low bandwidth is important.

This codec compresses voice recordings so they use less storage and transmit faster. It is common in telephony and VoIP systems.

Telephony: Ideal for mobile network voice transmissions and phone messaging.
VoIP: Helps in efficient voice data streaming over the internet.
Efficient Compression: Lowers file sizes, saving bandwidth during transmission.

Sometimes you may encounter files labeled with this MIME type that use formats like AIFF, AIF, or IEF. These file extensions are most often associated with the uncompressed AIFF format, so verify the actual codec used if playback issues arise.

For more details on the GSM codec and its applications, see GSM 06.10 on Wikipedia.

Associated file extensions

.aiff, .aif, .ief

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: audio/x-gsm

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.aiff, .aif, .ief

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.