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

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

The MIME type audio/x-wav denotes files that hold uncompressed waveform audio data. It carries raw PCM material for high fidelity playback and editing.

Its primary use is with audio files—commonly seen as WAV or WAVE—that play sound exactly as captured, without compression artifacts. This makes the format ideal for professional audio editing and archival storage, although the files occupy more disk space.

Some broadcast and professional applications enhance this base format. For example, versions like BWF and RF64 add extra metadata for synchronization and detailed sound information.

In the context of Digital Talking Books (DTB) introduced in 2005, audio/x-wav is also paired with supporting files. These include structure or metadata files such as XML, media components like MP4 and MP3, and navigation aids like OPF and NCX. They work together to present a cohesive narrated and interactive audio experience.

High Quality: Maintains uncompressed audio for accuracy and clarity.
Editing & Production: Commonly used in audio software for tasks where quality matters.
Broadcast Use: Supports enhanced formats with extra metadata for professional needs.
Digital Talking Books: Integrates with additional files to manage narration and navigation.

For more technical insights, you can explore details on the WAV format on Wikipedia.

Associated file extensions

.wav, .xml, .mp4, .mp3, .opf, .ncx, .wave, .bwf, .rf64

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: audio/x-wav

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.wav, .xml, .mp4, .mp3, .opf, .ncx, .wave, .bwf, .rf64

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.