What is MIME type "image/heif"?

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

image/heif is a MIME type for files that use the High Efficiency Image File Format. This format uses advanced compression techniques, like HEVC, to store images in smaller files without losing quality.

It can hold a single image or a series of images. This makes it useful for burst photos and short sequences. The format also supports metadata and multiple image layers.

Efficiency: Reduces file size compared to older formats.
Quality: Maintains higher image quality with modern compression.
Flexibility: Can store multiple images and useful data in one file.

Files using this format typically have extensions like HEIC, HIF, HEIF, HEICS, and HEIFS.

For more technical details, visit this reference.

Associated file extensions

.heic, .hif, .heif, .heics, .heifs

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: image/heif

HTML

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


    <a href="file.dat" type="image/heif">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', 'image/heif');
      res.end('Content here');
    }).listen(3000);

Associated file extensions

.heic, .hif, .heif, .heics, .heifs

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.