---
title: "Metadata atom ('meta')"
framework: quicktime-file-format
role: symbol
role_heading: Atom
path: quicktime-file-format/metadata_atom
---

# Metadata atom ('meta')

An atom that is the container for carrying metadata.

## Overview

Overview The following figure shows a sample layout of the metadata atom.

The metadata atom requires atoms with a solid outline, and atoms with a dotted outline are optional.

## Topics

### Data fields

- [Size](quicktime-file-format/metadata_atom/size.md)
- [Type](quicktime-file-format/metadata_atom/type.md)
- [Metadata handler atom](quicktime-file-format/metadata_atom/metadata_handler_atom.md)
- [Metadata header atom](quicktime-file-format/metadata_atom/metadata_header_atom.md)
- [Metadata item keys atom](quicktime-file-format/metadata_atom/metadata_item_keys_atom.md)
- [Metadata item list atom](quicktime-file-format/metadata_atom/metadata_item_list_atom.md)
- [Country list atom](quicktime-file-format/metadata_atom/country_list_atom.md)
- [Language list atom](quicktime-file-format/metadata_atom/language_list_atom.md)

## See Also

### Metadata structure

- [Metadata handler atom ('hdlr')](quicktime-file-format/metadata_handler_atom.md)
- [Metadata header atom ('mhdr')](quicktime-file-format/metadata_header_atom.md)