What is MIME type "image/x-win-bitmap"?

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

image/x-win-bitmap is a MIME type for bitmap data used in Windows cursor files. It tells a program that the file contains pixel data and extra metadata needed for displaying a pointer properly.
Files of this type often use the CUR extension, which is standard for Microsoft Windows cursor images.

Main Use: It defines the visual appearance and behavior of the cursor on a Windows system.
Key Functionality: The file holds bitmap data combined with cursor-specific details like hotspot coordinates.
Usage Context: This type is common in Windows environments and in software that customizes or replaces the default pointer.
Technical Note: Support outside Windows can be limited because its structure is tailored to Windows graphics processing.

For further details on cursor formats and their role in computing, see Wikipedia: Cursor (computing).

Associated file extensions

.cur

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: image/x-win-bitmap

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.cur

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.