What is MIME type "image/x-ilbm"?

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

image/x-ilbm is a MIME type for Interleaved Bitmap images. It uses a method where image data is split into multiple bitplanes that are interleaved together. This helps handle color details and complex graphics.

Files using this type include formats like PIC, LBM, IFF, BBM, and ILBM.

Image Storage – The interleaved approach organizes pixel data across several bitplanes.
Color Management – It effectively preserves palette details for rich graphics.
Legacy Use – Popular on older systems, notably in classic computer and game art.
Technical Flexibility – Supports varying resolutions and color depths.

This format is now mostly of historical interest, but it remains key to understanding early digital imaging techniques. For more on the format, visit Interleaved Bitmap on Wikipedia.

Associated file extensions

.pic, .lbm, .iff, .bbm, .ilbm

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: image/x-ilbm

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.pic, .lbm, .iff, .bbm, .ilbm

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.