What is MIME type "video/mpeg"?

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

video/mpeg denotes digital video files encoded by the MPEG standard.
It tells your system that the file contains compressed video, and it may pack audio data too.
This format enables efficient storage and fast streaming, which is why many media players and browsers support it.

Efficient Playback: It enables smooth streaming and quick decoding of video clips.
Wide Compatibility: Modern software on PCs, TVs, and mobile devices readily support these files.
Multiple Standards: It covers both older systems like MPEG-1 and newer ones like MPEG-2.
Versatile Usage: It serves in environments ranging from DVD video (e.g., VOB) to online streaming and digital broadcasts.

Files labeled with video/mpeg include types such as MPG and MP3 (when based on MPEG-1 compression), among others.
This MIME type ensures that video data is correctly recognized and decoded, helping your system play the media exactly the way it was meant to be shown.
For further technical insights, see the MPEG details.

Associated file extensions

.vob, .mp3, .mpg, .mod, .mpeg, .mpa, .mp2, .m2v, .mpv, .mp1, .m1v, .mpe, .m2a, .m1a

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: video/mpeg

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.vob, .mp3, .mpg, .mod, .mpeg, .mpa, .mp2, .m2v, .mpv, .mp1, .m1v, .mpe, .m2a, .m1a

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.