Key takeaways
- 01Search by file extension (.pdf, .webp) or by media type string (application/pdf, image/webp).
- 02Entries are sourced from the IANA media type registry, covering image, video, audio, text, application, and font types.
- 03Filter by group to quickly browse all MIME types in a given category.
- 04Runs entirely in your browser — no queries are sent to any server.
Why MIME Types Matter for Web Development
The Content-Type header tells a browser or API client what kind of data it's receiving. Get it wrong and a PDF downloads instead of previewing, a JSON response is treated as plain text, or an image fails to render. Setting the correct MIME type is a small detail that has visible user-facing consequences.
Beyond browsers, MIME types control upload form filtering (accept="image/*"), CDN cache policies, email attachment handling, and API response parsing. Having a reliable reference is essential when configuring a web server, writing a file upload handler, or debugging a download that opens in the wrong application.
How to Look Up a MIME Type
- 01
Search by extension or type
Type a file extension (pdf, webp, epub) with or without the leading dot, or type a media type string (application/pdf, image/webp). Results filter in real time.
- 02
Filter by group if needed
Click a group button — Image, Video, Audio, Text, Application, or Font — to narrow the list to a single category. Useful when you want to see all font MIME types or all video types at once.
- 03
Read the entry
Each result shows the canonical IANA-registered MIME type, the file extensions that commonly use it, and a one-line description of the format.
- 04
Copy and use
Click Copy or manually select the MIME type string to use in a Content-Type header, an Accept attribute on an HTML input, a server configuration, or an API response.
When to Use This Lookup
- 01Configuring nginx or Apache to serve correct Content-Type for a new file format.
- 02Writing a file upload handler that validates the MIME type of incoming files.
- 03Setting the accept attribute on an HTML file input to restrict uploadable file types.
- 04Responding correctly from an API endpoint that returns binary files.
- 05Debugging a PDF that downloads instead of previewing — check that the server sends application/pdf.
- 06Finding the right MIME type for modern image formats like AVIF or HEIC.
Sourced from IANA, Runs in Your Browser
The MIME type database is bundled with the page and sourced from the IANA media type registry. Searching and filtering happen entirely in your browser — no queries are sent to any server.
Some extensions map to multiple valid MIME types. For example, .xml maps to both text/xml and application/xml. text/xml is used when the XML is human-readable content; application/xml is preferred for data interchange. Use whichever matches how your tooling or client will consume the file. The lookup surfaces both so you can choose the right one for your context.
MIME Type Lookup FAQ
What's the MIME type for a PDF file?
application/pdf is the canonical, IANA-registered MIME type for PDF files.
Why does my extension show multiple MIME types?
Some formats have multiple registered types — .xml maps to text/xml and application/xml, for example. Use the one that matches how your client or toolchain expects to consume the file.
What's the difference between font/woff and application/font-woff?
font/woff is the modern IANA-registered type for WOFF fonts. application/font-woff is an older, legacy type still seen in some server configurations. Prefer font/woff for new setups.
What MIME type should I use for .heic iPhone photos?
image/heic is the most widely accepted type for HEIC files (HEIF images using the HEVC codec). Some servers also accept image/heif, which refers to the broader HEIF container format.
Is there a MIME type for WebAssembly?
Yes — application/wasm is the official MIME type for .wasm files. Web servers must serve WebAssembly with this type for browsers to compile it efficiently.