What is MIME type "image/xpm"?

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

image/xpm is the MIME type for the X PixMap format. It encodes images as plain text. This makes it easy to edit and integrate with source code.

Developed for the X Window system, it fits well in Linux and Unix environments. The format stores pixel and color data in a human-readable form, making it lightweight and flexible. It is not meant for high-resolution or complex images.

Main use case: Embedding simple icons and graphics directly into program source code.
Key fact: The text-based encoding allows quick modifications using any text editor.
Key fact: Its simplicity is ideal for interface themes and resource files.

Files in this format are typically saved with the XPM extension. For more in-depth technical details, refer to the X PixMap article.

Associated file extensions

.xpm

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: image/xpm

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.xpm

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.