application/*
application/x-tar
File extensions: .tar
Unix tape archive — bundles files without compression.
What is application/x-tar?
application/x-tar identifies a tar (tape archive) file — the traditional Unix way of bundling multiple files and directories into a single stream. Tar itself does not compress; it is almost always combined with gzip (.tar.gz) or xz (.tar.xz) for release archives.
Typical usage
Linux/BSD source and binary releases, Docker image exports, backup snapshots.
HTTP header example
Response header
Content-Type: application/x-tar; charset=utf-8Registration status
This media type is not officially registered with IANA. It is widely used in practice, but strict clients or standards-conformant tooling may not recognize it — check your consumer's tolerance.
Frequently asked questions
What is the application/x-tar MIME type?
application/x-tar identifies a tar (tape archive) file — the traditional Unix way of bundling multiple files and directories into a single stream. Tar itself does not compress; it is almost always combined with gzip (.tar.gz) or xz (.tar.xz) for release archives.
What file extension does application/x-tar use?
Files served as application/x-tar typically use the extension .tar. The most common is .tar.
How do I set the Content-Type for application/x-tar?
Send the HTTP response header Content-Type: application/x-tar; charset=utf-8. Linux/BSD source and binary releases, Docker image exports, backup snapshots.
Is application/x-tar an official MIME type?
No. application/x-tar is not officially registered with IANA. It is widely used in practice, but strict or standards-conformant tooling may not recognize it, so verify your consumer accepts it.