Which MIME types are related to file extension ".osm"?
The .osm file extension is associated with 3 MIME types:
text/xml, application/octet-stream, application/vnd.openstreetmap.data+xml.
A MIME type is a string that tells browsers and other tools how to handle a particular kind of file.
About .osm Files
OSM files are digital mapping files used to store and exchange geographic data primarily for OpenStreetMap projects.
They are most often formatted in XML as indicated by the MIME types text/xml and application/vnd.openstreetmap.data+xml, which makes the data human-readable and easy to process. In some cases, the generic MIME type application/octet-stream is used, especially when the file is handled as a binary or by specific software like Oxygen Software SMS (v3).
- Main Use: Storing map features (nodes, ways, and relations that describe roads, boundaries, and natural features)
- Data Format: XML-based, ensuring compatibility with many mapping and geospatial tools
- Software Support: Opened and edited by mapping applications such as JOSM, Merkaartor, QGIS, or similar GIS tools
- Alternate Use: Sometimes managed by specialized software for SMS data processing (Oxygen Software SMS v3)
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
text/xml, application/octet-stream, application/vnd.openstreetmap.data+xml
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.