What is MIME type "text/x-arduino"?

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

text/x-arduino is a MIME type for Arduino sketch files.
It marks plain text files that contain Arduino code. These files have a special link INO, indicating they are meant for Arduino projects.
This MIME type helps code editors and development tools apply the correct syntax highlighting and formatting rules.
It also assists systems in correctly identifying the file’s purpose during uploads or file handling.

Code Editing: Tools recognize the file as Arduino code and offer features like syntax highlighting.
File Association: Operating systems and applications can link the file with the appropriate software.
Automation: Web platforms and build tools can process these files correctly based on their type.

The type is non-standard and mainly used within specialized environments like the Arduino IDE.
For more details on Arduino projects, visit the Arduino website.

Associated file extensions

.ino

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: text/x-arduino

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.ino

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.