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

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

text/x-mathematica identifies files that store interactive computations and formatted text used by Mathematica. It signals that the file contains both code and its accompanying documentation.
This MIME type ensures applications open the file with the correct tools for symbolic math and computational tasks.

It allows mixing plain text with executable code and mathematical notation.
It supports dynamic content, making files interactive and visually rich.
It is key for sharing research, educational material, and computational results.

Files with this MIME type include those used in Mathematica. They can be in forms such as NB, CDF, M, MA, WL, WLT, MT, NBP, and MATHEMATICA.

The MIME type helps your operating system and software decide how to open these files correctly.
They are essential for users working on scientific, engineering, or mathematical projects.
For more details on Mathematica’s capabilities, check the official website.

Associated file extensions

.nb, .cdf, .m, .ma, .wl, .wlt, .mt, .nbp, .mathematica

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: text/x-mathematica

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.nb, .cdf, .m, .ma, .wl, .wlt, .mt, .nbp, .mathematica

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.