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

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

image/x-tiff is the Internet media type for the Tagged Image File Format (TIFF).
It represents high-quality raster images used mainly in professional settings.
This format handles detailed images and supports high color depths and multiple pages.

Used for storing high-resolution scans and photographs
Favored in desktop publishing and printing for its lossless quality
Ideal for archiving documents where image integrity is key
Employed in medical imaging and digital asset management

Files with this MIME type include those ending in TIF and TIFF.
Learn more about TIFF via this reference.

Associated file extensions

.tif, .tiff

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: image/x-tiff

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.tif, .tiff

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.