Which MIME types are related to file extension ".csv"?
The .csv file extension is associated with 6 MIME types:
text/csv, application/csv, application/x-csv, text/comma-separated-values, text/x-comma-separated-values, text/x-csv.
A MIME type is a string that tells browsers and other tools how to handle a particular kind of file.
About .csv Files
CSV files are plain text files that store data in a table format using commas to separate values. They are often used to transfer data between programs without losing its structure.
The MIME types for CSV files include:
- text/csv – the most common type indicating a text file with comma-separated values.
- application/csv and application/x-csv – used when the file is treated as an application-level data format.
- text/comma-separated-values, text/x-comma-separated-values, and text/x-csv – alternative MIME types supporting the same content style.
CSV files are used mainly for:
- Importing and exporting data in spreadsheet programs like Microsoft Excel, LibreOffice Calc, or Google Sheets.
- Exchanging data between database systems and web applications.
- Storing simple datasets that require portability and easy editing with text editors.
According to FilExt.com, CSV files are a ubiquitous, versatile file format favored for its simplicity and ease of use.
Relationship between file extension and MIME type
A file extension is a suffix at the end of a filename that indicates what type of file it is. File extensions help both users and operating systems identify what application should be used to open the file.
File extensions are typically separated from the filename by a period (dot) and consist of 2-4 characters, though they can be longer. For example, in the filename "document.pdf", ".pdf" is the file extension.
File extensions are closely related to MIME types, as they both serve to identify the format of a file. However, while MIME types are used primarily by web browsers and servers, file extensions are used by operating systems and applications.
Associated MIME types
text/csv, application/csv, application/x-csv, text/comma-separated-values, text/x-comma-separated-values, text/x-csv
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 can one extension have multiple MIME types?
Different programs and historical usage may assign various MIME identifiers to the same file format. Listing them together helps maintain compatibility across tools.