# Lottie Gains Official Recognition with IANA Assignment *By LottieFiles ยท February 26, 2025* The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) has officially assigned a MIME type and file extension for Lottie files, marking a significant step forward for this animation format. --- We're thrilled to share that the Lottie Animation Community (LAC), a non-profit hosted under the Linux Foundation with the goal of standardizing the lottie format, has reached a significant milestone! Today, they have announced the exciting news that The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) has [officially assigned a MIME type and file extension for Lottie](https://www.iana.org/assignments/media-types/video/lottie+json) files. LAC has also been added as an IESG recognized standards related organization on the [IANA organizations registry](https://www.iana.org/assignments/iesg-recognized-organizations/iesg-recognized-organizations.xhtml). This formal recognition is a testament to Lottie's growing importance in the world of animated vector graphics. The assigned MIME type for Lottie is `video/lottie+json`. MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) types, also referred to as Internet Media Types, are identifiers that tell browsers and other applications what kind of data they are receiving. They are crucial for properly handling and displaying different file types on the internet. When a web server sends a file, it includes a MIME type header that specifies the format of the data. This allows the recipient's software to understand how to interpret and process the content. For example, a MIME type of "image/jpeg" indicates that the file is a JPEG image, while "text/html" signifies an HTML document. By defining these types, MIME ensures that various applications can correctly render and handle the diverse range of content found on the web. In the context of Lottie, "video/lottie+json" signals that the data is a Lottie animation in JSON format. The newly assigned `.lot` extension provides an alternative to the familiar `.json` extension. This doesn't replace `.json` but rather offers an option that specifically identifies the file as a Lottie animation. While `.json` will continue to be valid, `.lot` makes it immediately clear what the file contains, which can be helpful for file management, identification, and integration with various systems. Think of it as a more specific label for your Lottie files, making them instantly recognizable. ### In summary - **MIME type:** "video/lottie+json" - **File extension:** ".lot" ## Distinguishing .lottie and .lot It's essential to understand the difference between the `.lot` and `.lottie` extensions. `.lot` is the newly assigned official IANA file extension for Lottie files, indicating a standard JSON-based Lottie animation. In contrast, `.lottie` refers to the extended Lottie format developed and open-sourced by LottieFiles. The `.lottie` format builds upon the core Lottie specifications and includes additional features such as image compression, multi-scene animations, and other enhancements. Therefore, while all `.lottie` files can be considered Lottie files, not all Lottie files (especially those with the `.lot` extension) are `.lottie` files. This distinction is important for developers and designers working with Lottie animations to ensure compatibility and utilize the appropriate features. ### Key points to understand: - **Flexibility:** You can still use the ".json" extension for your Lottie files. The ".lot" extension is an optional alternative. Players and renderers will gradually add support for ".lot". - **.lottie vs. .lot:** It's crucial to differentiate between ".lot" (the new IANA-assigned extension) and ".lottie" (LottieFiles' open-sourced extended format). The ".lottie" format offers additional features beyond the basic Lottie specifications. ## About the Lottie Animation Community (LAC) [LAC](https://lottie.github.io/) is a non-profit, open-source project hosted by The Linux Foundation. It's dedicated to establishing the Lottie File Format as an efficient, scalable, and cross-platform animated vector graphics technology and open file format. LAC aims to develop a formal Lottie format specification for implementation across renderers and other tools, promoting the Lottie file format as an industry standard. LAC operates under the governance of the Joint Development Foundation, ensuring an open, collaborative, and transparent approach to standardization. ## About IANA The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) is responsible for the global coordination of the DNS Root, IP addressing, and other Internet protocol resources. IANA plays a crucial role in maintaining the stable and secure operation of the Internet. It oversees the assignment of unique parameters for Internet protocols, including media types (like "video/lottie+json") and file extensions (like ".lot"). This ensures interoperability and prevents conflicts on the internet. You can find more information about IANA and its various registries on their website: [IANA media types registry](https://www.iana.org/assignments/media-types/media-types.xhtml). ## About IESG The Internet Engineering Steering Group (IESG) is responsible for technical management of IETF activities and the Internet standards process. The IESG administers the process according to the rules and procedures that have been ratified by the Internet Society trustees \[RFC 2026\]. It is directly responsible for the actions associated with entry into and movement along the Internet "standards track," including final approval of specifications as Internet Standards. **Find more information at:** - [Lottie Animation Community](https://lottie.github.io/) - [The Formal Assignment](https://www.iana.org/assignments/media-types/video/lottie+json) - [IANA media types registry](https://www.iana.org/assignments/media-types/media-types.xhtml) - [IESG recognized organizations registry](https://www.iana.org/assignments/iesg-recognized-organizations/iesg-recognized-organizations.xhtml) - [About the dotLottie format](https://dotlottie.io/) This is a great step forward for Lottie! This recognition from IANA will further encourage the adoption and standardization of Lottie animations across the web and beyond. --- ## Related Articles - [The Lottie Power Stack 2026](/blog/inside-lottiefiles/the-lottie-power-stack-2026) - [Resolution of Security Incident with @lottiefiles/lottie-player Package](/blog/inside-lottiefiles/resolution-of-security-incident-with-lottiefiles-lottie-player-package) - [Lottie Specification v1.0: A Milestone for Open-Source Animation](/blog/inside-lottiefiles/lottie-specification-v1-0-a-milestone-for-open-source-animation) - [Announcing a Strategic Investment from Webflow Ventures & Figma Ventures](/blog/inside-lottiefiles/announcing-new-investment-with-webflow-ventures-figma-ventures)