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

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

image/x-xcf is the MIME type for files created by GIMP. These files use the native format of the software, specifically the XCF format.

The format stores complete image projects. It keeps layers, channels, paths, and other details. This lets you edit images without merging or flattening them.

Advanced Editing: Saves all image elements for non-destructive work.
GIMP Native Format: Ensures all file details are maintained for full project recovery.
Project Archiving: Holds editing history and structure beyond a simple picture.

Files with this MIME type are best used within GIMP. For web use or simple viewing, a conversion to more common formats may be required. For further details, visit this resource.

Associated file extensions

.xcf

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: image/x-xcf

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.xcf

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.