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

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

audio/x-ogg is a MIME type for audio files in the Ogg container format. It defines how audio data is formatted and delivered across systems.

This type handles compressed audio streams that often use codecs like Vorbis. It is open, free of proprietary restrictions, and popular in many open source media players.

Main use: Streaming and playing back audio in web browsers and multimedia applications.
Other uses: Efficient storage of high-quality audio with metadata support.
Compatibility: Widely supported by HTML5 audio tags and media frameworks.

Files with the OGG extension make use of this MIME type. For more details on how MIME types work, visit the IANA Media Types page.

Associated file extensions

.ogg

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: audio/x-ogg

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.ogg

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.