What is MIME type "image/mov"?

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

The MIME type image/mov marks a file as a QuickTime container. It tells applications that the file holds multimedia data. This MIME label may be used for files that contain images, video, audio, or interactive content.

Files such as MOV, MP3, QIF, M4P, QT, QTI, and QTIF are all associated with the QuickTime File Format.

Main use case: It signals that the file is intended for multimedia playback using QuickTime-compatible software.
Functionality: It directs browsers and media players to use QuickTime decoders.
Use in systems: It can embed various media types like video sequences, audio tracks, and image arrays.
Legacy / alternative use: While the standard type for QuickTime movies is video/quicktime, this MIME type may appear in custom or legacy setups.

For more detailed information on MIME types, visit the IANA media types page.

Associated file extensions

.mov, .mp3, .qif, .m4p, .qt, .qti, .qtif

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: image/mov

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.mov, .mp3, .qif, .m4p, .qt, .qti, .qtif

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.