video/mp4
The MIME type for MP4 video — the most broadly compatible video content type across browsers and mobile devices.
Typical extensions
Primary uses
- HTML5 `<video>` streaming
- Progressive download delivery
- CDN video delivery; HLS fMP4 segments also travel as video/mp4
In a browser
Plays directly in `<video>`. Moving the `moov` atom to the start of the file (web-optimized / fast-start) enables instant playback.
On a server
Range requests are required. For HLS/DASH, serve fMP4 segments as video/mp4 and the playlists as `application/vnd.apple.mpegurl` or `application/dash+xml`.
In email
Many clients preview inline, but video attachments are large — cloud-storage sharing is usually more reliable.