lookup> .m3u8

.M3U8·File Extension

M3U8 Data & Text — A .m3u8 file is a M3U8 Data & Text. It is a text-based data format widely used for configuration files, data interchange and API payloads.

Data & Textapplication/vnd.apple.mpegurl

Quick facts

Extension.m3u8

File typeM3U8 Data & Text

MIME typeapplication/vnd.apple.mpegurl

CategoryData & Text

Charset—

Compressible—

What is .m3u8

What is a .m3u8 file?

A .m3u8 file is a M3U8 Data & Text. It is a text-based data format widely used for configuration files, data interchange and API payloads.

In the mime-db registry it maps to application/vnd.apple.mpegurl. When serving .m3u8 over HTTP, set the Content-Type header as shown in Developer info below.

Related entities: it maps to application/vnd.apple.mpegurl and is used by M3U among others — and is delivered over HTTP via the Content-Type header.

How to open .m3u8 files

Use VS Code or Notepad++ to open and edit .m3u8 files.
Any text editor (Notepad, VS Code) can inspect the raw content as text.

Developer info

When served over HTTP, responses should set the following header:

Content-Type: application/vnd.apple.mpegurl

Common software that reads/writes .m3u8:

VS CodeNotepad++Sublime Textjq

Relation chain

.m3u8extension of

format

M3U8 Data & Textserved as

mime type

application/vnd.apple.mpegurlsent via header

http header

Related extensions

Related MIME types

application/vnd.apple.mpegurl

.m3u8

Related programming languages

M3U

.m3u .m3u8

Common uses

Configuration files
Data interchange between systems
API request and response payloads
Logs and data exports

How to edit .m3u8 files

Open the file with VS Code, make your changes and save.
Most editors preserve the original formatting and encoding — avoid changing the charset.

How to create .m3u8 files

Create a new file and save it with the .m3u8 extension, or export this format from VS Code.

Frequently asked questions

What programs can open .m3u8 files?

Common options include VS Code, Notepad++, Sublime Text. You can also open many of these files with built-in viewers or a browser.

How do I create a .m3u8 file?

Create a new file in any text editor or the app that owns the format and save it with the .m3u8 extension.

What is the relationship between .m3u8 and the application/vnd.apple.mpegurl MIME type?

application/vnd.apple.mpegurl is the media type identifier used for .m3u8 files during network transfer (for example in the HTTP Content-Type header).

Sources & standards

Updated 2026-08-18

Explore this reference