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

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

audio/x-realaudio identifies files made for streaming compressed audio. It tells your system that the file contains audio data optimized for online delivery.

This MIME type was developed by RealNetworks and is mainly used with media players such as RealPlayer. It supports live streams and pre-recorded content.

Streaming audio: Ensures smooth delivery of audio content over networks.
Media compatibility: Helps browsers and players recognize the file and play it correctly.
Legacy systems: Remains in use on older websites and applications that rely on Real Audio technology.

Files using this MIME type often use the extensions RAM and RA. These links offer further details on file specifics.

For more technical information, visit the IANA page on audio/x-realaudio.

Associated file extensions

.ram, .ra

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: audio/x-realaudio

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.ram, .ra

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.