MIME Type Lookup
Find MIME types for any file extension. Comprehensive reference with instant search.
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52 MIME Types
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How to Use the MIME Type Lookup
The MIME Type Lookup tool provides instant access to a comprehensive database of MIME types (also called media types or content types) used across the web. Simply type any file extension (like ".jpg" or ".pdf") or MIME type (like "image/jpeg") into the search box, and matching results appear automatically in real-time. No need to click search — the filtering happens instantly as you type.
Use the category filters to narrow down your search by type: Text, JavaScript, Image, Video, Audio, Document, Archive, Font, or Application. This makes it easy to browse related file types when you're working on specific features. For example, if you're implementing video upload functionality, filter by "Video" to see all video MIME types at once (MP4, WebM, Ogg, AVI, etc.).
Each result shows the file extension, MIME type, category, and a brief description. The one-click Copy MIME button copies the exact MIME type string to your clipboard, ready to paste into your HTTP headers, API responses, or server configuration files. This eliminates typos and ensures you're using the correct, standardized MIME type format.
MIME types are essential for web development because they tell browsers and servers how to handle different types of content. When you serve a file over HTTP, the Content-Type header must include the correct MIME type. For example, serving a PNG image requires "image/png", and serving JSON data requires "application/json". Without the correct MIME type, browsers may refuse to display your content or trigger unwanted downloads.
This tool is particularly useful when configuring web servers (Apache, Nginx), setting up API endpoints, implementing file upload validation, configuring CDN caching rules, or debugging Content-Type header issues. The comprehensive database covers all common file types you'll encounter in web development, from images and videos to fonts and WebAssembly binaries. Bookmark this page for quick reference whenever you need to look up a MIME type.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a MIME type?
MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) types are standardized labels that identify the type of data contained in a file. They're used in HTTP headers (Content-Type) to tell browsers and servers how to process the data. For example, 'image/jpeg' indicates a JPEG image, and 'application/json' indicates JSON data.
Why are MIME types important for web development?
MIME types are crucial for proper file handling in web applications. Browsers use them to determine how to display content, servers use them in Content-Type headers, and APIs rely on them for content negotiation. Incorrect MIME types can cause files to download instead of display, or images to fail loading.
What's the difference between text/javascript and application/javascript?
Both are valid, but 'text/javascript' is the current standard recommended by the HTML5 specification. Older standards used 'application/javascript', but modern browsers and servers prefer 'text/javascript'. For ES modules (.mjs), use 'text/javascript' as well.
How do I set the correct MIME type in HTTP responses?
In HTTP responses, set the Content-Type header with the appropriate MIME type. For example, in Node.js: res.setHeader('Content-Type', 'image/png'). In Apache, use AddType in .htaccess. In Nginx, the mime.types file maps extensions to MIME types automatically.
What happens if I use the wrong MIME type?
Incorrect MIME types can cause various issues: browsers may refuse to execute JavaScript, images may fail to load, videos won't play, or files download instead of displaying inline. Some browsers also enforce MIME type checking for security (MIME sniffing protection), so correct types are essential.
Are MIME types case-sensitive?
No, MIME types are case-insensitive, but the convention is to use lowercase. 'image/PNG' and 'image/png' are technically equivalent, but 'image/png' is the standard format used in HTTP headers and documentation.