Which MIME types are related to file extension ".geojson"?
The .geojson file extension is associated with 2 MIME types:
application/json, application/geo+json.
A MIME type is a string that tells browsers and other tools how to handle a particular kind of file.
About .geojson Files
GEOJSON files are used to store and share geographic information in plain text.
They follow the GeoJSON specification, which builds on the JSON structure and uses MIME types application/json and application/geo+json.
These files store spatial data such as points, lines, and polygons.
They often include coordinate positions, properties, and metadata.
- Primary use: Representing geographic features and boundaries.
- Software compatibility: Opened and edited in GIS apps like QGIS or ArcGIS, text editors (Notepad++, VSCode), and used in web mapping libraries such as Leaflet and Mapbox.
- Additional applications: Spatial data analysis, web mapping, and location-based services.
Relationship between file extension and MIME type
A file extension is a suffix at the end of a filename that indicates what type of file it is. File extensions help both users and operating systems identify what application should be used to open the file.
File extensions are typically separated from the filename by a period (dot) and consist of 2-4 characters, though they can be longer. For example, in the filename "document.pdf", ".pdf" is the file extension.
File extensions are closely related to MIME types, as they both serve to identify the format of a file. However, while MIME types are used primarily by web browsers and servers, file extensions are used by operating systems and applications.
Associated MIME types
application/json, application/geo+json
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 can one extension have multiple MIME types?
Different programs and historical usage may assign various MIME identifiers to the same file format. Listing them together helps maintain compatibility across tools.