What is MIME type "video/mp4"?

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

video/mp4 is a MIME type for a multimedia container. It handles video, audio, and text data in one file.

This format is popular for online streaming and playback. It enables smooth delivery on web pages and mobile devices. Files with this MIME type can store high-quality video and synchronized audio. They also support subtitles and chapter markers.

Main use: Delivering video content on websites and applications.
Supports video streaming and on-demand playback.
Works on many platforms, from PCs to mobile devices.
Handles both audio-only and combined media files.

Various file types use this MIME type. For instance, video files often have the format MP4. Audio files in this container use M4A. Other variants include M4V, M4B, M4P, and M4R among others.

Developers and content providers choose video/mp4 because it is simple, efficient, and widely supported. More details can be found at IANA.

Associated file extensions

.mp4, .m4a, .m4v, .m4b, .m4p, .m4r, .f4v, .mp4v, .mpg4, .f4b, .f4a, .f4p

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: video/mp4

HTML

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


    <a href="file.dat" type="video/mp4">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/mp4');
      res.end('Content here');
    }).listen(3000);

Associated file extensions

.mp4, .m4a, .m4v, .m4b, .m4p, .m4r, .f4v, .mp4v, .mpg4, .f4b, .f4a, .f4p

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.