What is MIME type "video/h263"?

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

video/h263 denotes video data encoded with the H.263 compression algorithm.
This MIME type tells software that the video stream uses H.263 decoding, which is essential for proper playback.

Low-Bandwidth Streaming: The H.263 codec compresses video efficiently, making it ideal for environments where network resources are limited.
Videoconferencing: It has been used in real-time communication systems and mobile video applications.
Legacy Support: Although newer codecs are more common today, some older systems and files still use the H.263 standard.

Files marked with this MIME type often carry the file identifier H263.
For more on how MIME types define data handling, refer to the IANA Media Types.

Associated file extensions

.h263

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: video/h263

HTML

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


    <a href="file.dat" type="video/h263">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', 'video/h263');
      res.end('Content here');
    }).listen(3000);

Associated file extensions

.h263

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.