What is MIME type "video/h264"?

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

video/h264 is a MIME type that marks video data compressed using the H.264 standard. It signals that the file contains a raw H.264 video stream without an accompanying container for separate audio or metadata.

This format is known for its efficient compression and high quality. It helps reduce file sizes while keeping good visual details, which is ideal for many modern video applications.

Streaming: It is used in video streaming on the internet.
Recording: Many cameras and recording devices use H.264 to capture video.
Edit and storage: Professionals may use raw H.264 streams for editing, though these are often later wrapped in containers.

Files with this MIME type often use the extension H264, indicating they contain elementary H.264 video data. For more details on the H.264 standard, you can check out the resource on Wikipedia.

Associated file extensions

.h264

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: video/h264

HTML

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


    <a href="file.dat" type="video/h264">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/h264');
      res.end('Content here');
    }).listen(3000);

Associated file extensions

.h264

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.