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

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

text/x-url is a MIME type for Internet Shortcut files. These files are plain text and hold a website address. They typically include a header (often “[InternetShortcut]”) and a line pointing to the URL. The format lets users open a webpage with one click.

These shortcuts are mainly used on Windows to create easy access points to online resources. They are stored as text, making them simple to edit or share. The associated file format is represented by the extension URL.

Quick launch to web addresses
Easy customization and sharing
Common in desktop and start menu shortcuts

For more details, see this reference.

Associated file extensions

.url

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: text/x-url

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.url

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.