Which MIME types are related to file extension ".wasm"?
The .wasm file extension is associated with 2 MIME types:
application/wasm, application/octet-stream.
A MIME type is a string that tells browsers and other tools how to handle a particular kind of file.
About .wasm Files
WASM files are binary modules that run code using WebAssembly technology. They are designed for near‑native performance in web browsers and other environments.
They usually carry the MIME type application/wasm but may also appear as application/octet-stream when the precise type is not set. This binary format is a compilation target for languages like C, C++, and Rust, allowing developers to accelerate performance‑critical web applications.
- Efficient Execution: Code in these files runs quickly in browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari.
- Versatile Use Cases: They power interactive web apps, games, and complex computations.
- Developer Tools: Tools like Visual Studio Code and WebAssembly Studio help open and inspect these files.
- MIME Type Flexibility: Although primarily served as application/wasm, servers sometimes use application/octet-stream as a fallback.
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/wasm, application/octet-stream
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.