What is MIME type "audio/x-pn-aiff"?

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

audio/x-pn-aiff is the MIME type for files that use the Audio Interchange File Format. It stores uncompressed, high-quality audio data typically encoded as linear PCM.

This format is widely used in audio editing and digital media production. It efficiently preserves sound quality and supports detailed metadata like sample rate, bit depth, and channel count.

Main Use: Transports studio-grade audio without loss.
Editing & Production: Supported by digital audio workstations and professional editing software.
Metadata Storage: Carries technical details of the audio for precise processing.
Cross-Platform: Functions on both Mac and PC systems.

Files using this MIME type often have extensions such as AIFF, AIF, or IEF.

This classification helps applications recognize and process the data correctly. For more detailed background, refer to the information available here.

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-pn-aiff

HTML

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


    <a href="file.dat" type="audio/x-pn-aiff">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-pn-aiff');
      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.