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

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

The audio/x-scpls MIME type is used for a playlist file format. It stores a list of audio streams or tracks in a plain-text format.

The file typically contains entries with URLs or file paths and may include metadata like track title and duration. Media players read it to know what to play and in which order.

Key uses:

Media Playback: Helps players queue and play multiple audio files sequentially.
Streaming Audio: Organizes online radio or streaming audio sources by listing their URLs.
Playlist Management: Simplifies the creation and sharing of curated audio lists.

The file is associated with the playlist file format PLS. This format is widely recognized even though the MIME type uses an x- prefix, indicating it is not an official standard.

For more details on how these playlists work, see PLS playlist.

Associated file extensions

.pls

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: audio/x-scpls

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.pls

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.