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

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

text/x-markdown marks files written in Markdown, a lightweight markup language. Markdown uses simple syntax to add formatting to plain text. Instead of heavy HTML tags, you use symbols like asterisks, hashes, and dashes.

Files with this MIME type are common in project documentation and online readme files. They are easily converted to HTML and other formats by many tools. Consider its practical benefits:

Simple syntax: Easy to learn and use.
Conversion-ready: Many utilities transform Markdown into HTML.
Broad support: Editors and platforms routinely render Markdown.

Common file formats include MD, MARKDOWN, MARKDN, and MDOWN.

This MIME type streamlines the writing of formatted documents without complex markup. For more detailed information, visit Wikipedia on Markdown.

Associated file extensions

.md, .markdown, .markdn, .mdown

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: text/x-markdown

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.md, .markdown, .markdn, .mdown

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.