What is MIME type?
MIME stands for “Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions“. It’s a way of identifying files on the Internet according to their nature and format. For example, using the “Content-type” header value defined in a HTTP response, the browser can open the file with the proper extension/plugin.
What does a MIME type look like?
A MIME type is a string identifier composed of two parts: a “type” and a “subtype”. The “type” refers to a logical grouping of many MIME types that are closely related to each other; it’s no more than a high level category. “subtypes” are specific to one file type within the “type”.
For example, the MIME value “application/xml” is used for XML documents and specifies that the “xml” subtype belongs in the “application” type.
Why are some MIME subtypes prefixed with “x-“?
The “x-” prefix of a MIME subtype simply means that it’s non-standard, i.e. not registered with the “Internet Assigned Numbers Authority” (IANA).
Why are some MIME subtypes prefixed with “vnd”?
The “vnd” prefix means that the MIME value is vendor specific.
Complete list of MIME Types
| Suffixes applicable | Media type and subtype(s) |
|---|---|
| .3dm | x-world/x-3dmf |
| .3dmf | x-world/x-3dmf |
| .a | application/octet-stream |
| .aab | application/x-authorware-bin |
| .aam | application/x-authorware-map |
| .aas | application/x-authorware-seg |
| .abc | text/vnd.abc |
| .acgi | text/html |
| .afl | video/animaflex |
| .ai | application/postscript |
| .aif | audio/aiff |
| .aif | audio/x-aiff |
| .aifc | audio/aiff |
| .aifc | audio/x-aiff |
| .aiff | audio/aiff |
| .aiff | audio/x-aiff |
| .aim | application/x-aim |
| .aip | text/x-audiosoft-intra |
| .ani | application/x-navi-animation |
| .aos | application/x-nokia-9000-communicator-add-on-software |
| .aps | application/mime |
| .arc | application/octet-stream |
| .arj | application/arj |
| .arj | application/octet-stream |
| .art | image/x-jg |
| .asf | video/x-ms-asf |
| .asm | text/x-asm |
| .asp | text/asp |
| .asx | application/x-mplayer2 |
| .asx | video/x-ms-asf |
| .asx | video/x-ms-asf-plugin |
| .au | audio/basic |
| .au | audio/x-au |
| .avi | application/x-troff-msvideo |
| .avi | video/avi |
| .avi | video/msvideo |
| .avi | video/x-msvideo |
| .avs | video/avs-video |
| .bcpio | application/x-bcpio |
| .bin | application/mac-binary |
| .bin | application/macbinary |
| .bin | application/octet-stream |
| .bin | application/x-binary |
| .bin | application/x-macbinary |
| .bm | image/bmp |
| .bmp | image/bmp |
| .bmp | image/x-windows-bmp |
| .boo | application/book |
| .book | application/book |
| .boz | application/x-bzip2 |
| .bsh | application/x-bsh |
| .bz | application/x-bzip |
| .bz2 | application/x-bzip2 |
| .c | text/plain |
| .c | text/x-c |
| .c++ | text/plain |
| .cat | application/vnd.ms-pki.seccat |
| .cc | text/plain |
| .cc | text/x-c |
| .ccad | application/clariscad |
| .cco | application/x-cocoa |
| .cdf | application/cdf |
| .cdf | application/x-cdf |
| .cdf | application/x-netcdf |
| .cer | application/pkix-cert |
| .cer | application/x-x509-ca-cert |
| .cha | application/x-chat |
| .chat | application/x-chat |
| .class | application/java |
| .class | application/java-byte-code |
| .class | application/x-java-class |
| .com | application/octet-stream |
| .com | text/plain |
| .conf | text/plain |
| .cpio | application/x-cpio |
| .cpp | text/x-c |
| .cpt | application/mac-compactpro |
| .cpt | application/x-compactpro |
| .cpt | application/x-cpt |
| .crl | application/pkcs-crl |
| .crl | application/pkix-crl |
| .crt | application/pkix-cert |
| .crt | application/x-x509-ca-cert |
| .crt | application/x-x509-user-cert |
| .csh | application/x-csh |
| .csh | text/x-script.csh |
| .css | application/x-pointplus |
| .css | text/css |
| .cxx | text/plain |
| .dcr | application/x-director |
| .deepv | application/x-deepv |
| .def | text/plain |
| .der | application/x-x509-ca-cert |
| .dif | video/x-dv |
| .dir | application/x-director |
| .dl | video/dl |
| .dl | video/x-dl |
| .doc | application/msword |
| .dot | application/msword |
| .dp | application/commonground |
| .drw | application/drafting |
| .dump | application/octet-stream |
| .dv | video/x-dv |
| .dvi | application/x-dvi |
| .dwf | drawing/x-dwf (old) |
| .dwf | model/vnd.dwf |
| .dwg | application/acad |
| .dwg | image/vnd.dwg |
| .dwg | image/x-dwg |
| .dxf | application/dxf |
| .dxf | image/vnd.dwg |
| .dxf | image/x-dwg |
| .dxr | application/x-director |
| .el | text/x-script.elisp |
| .elc | application/x-bytecode.elisp (compiled elisp) |
| .elc | application/x-elc |
| .env | application/x-envoy |
| .eps | application/postscript |
| .es | application/x-esrehber |
| .etx | text/x-setext |
| .evy | application/envoy |
| .evy | application/x-envoy |
| .exe | application/octet-stream |
| .f | text/plain |
| .f | text/x-fortran |
| .f77 | text/x-fortran |
| .f90 | text/plain |
| .f90 | text/x-fortran |
| .fdf | application/vnd.fdf |
| .fif | application/fractals |
| .fif | image/fif |
| .fli | video/fli |
| .fli | video/x-fli |
| .flo | image/florian |
| .flx | text/vnd.fmi.flexstor |
| .fmf | video/x-atomic3d-feature |
| .for | text/plain |
| .for | text/x-fortran |
| .fpx | image/vnd.fpx |
| .fpx | image/vnd.net-fpx |
| .frl | application/freeloader |
| .funk | audio/make |
| .g | text/plain |
| .g3 | image/g3fax |
| .gif | image/gif |
| .gl | video/gl |
| .gl | video/x-gl |
| .gsd | audio/x-gsm |
| .gsm | audio/x-gsm |
| .gsp | application/x-gsp |
| .gss | application/x-gss |
| .gtar | application/x-gtar |
| .gz | application/x-compressed |
| .gz | application/x-gzip |
| .gzip | application/x-gzip |
| .gzip | multipart/x-gzip |
| .h | text/plain |
| .h | text/x-h |
| .hdf | application/x-hdf |
| .help | application/x-helpfile |
| .hgl | application/vnd.hp-hpgl |
| .hh | text/plain |
| .hh | text/x-h |
| .hlb | text/x-script |
| .hlp | application/hlp |
| .hlp | application/x-helpfile |
| .hlp | application/x-winhelp |
| .hpg | application/vnd.hp-hpgl |
| .hpgl | application/vnd.hp-hpgl |
| .hqx | application/binhex |
| .hqx | application/binhex4 |
| .hqx | application/mac-binhex |
| .hqx | application/mac-binhex40 |
| .hqx | application/x-binhex40 |
| .hqx | application/x-mac-binhex40 |
| .hta | application/hta |
| .htc | text/x-component |
| .htm | text/html |
| .html | text/html |
| .htmls | text/html |
| .htt | text/webviewhtml |
| .htx | text/html |
| .ice | x-conference/x-cooltalk |
| .ico | image/x-icon |
| .idc | text/plain |
| .ief | image/ief |
| .iefs | image/ief |
| .iges | application/iges |
| .iges | model/iges |
| .igs | application/iges |
| .igs | model/iges |
| .ima | application/x-ima |
| .imap | application/x-httpd-imap |
| .inf | application/inf |
| .ins | application/x-internett-signup |
| .ip | application/x-ip2 |
| .isu | video/x-isvideo |
| .it | audio/it |
| .iv | application/x-inventor |
| .ivr | i-world/i-vrml |
| .ivy | application/x-livescreen |
| .jam | audio/x-jam |
| .jav | text/plain |
| .jav | text/x-java-source |
| .java | text/plain |
| .java | text/x-java-source |
| .jcm | application/x-java-commerce |
| .jfif | image/jpeg |
| .jfif | image/pjpeg |
| .jfif-tbnl | image/jpeg |
| .jpe | image/jpeg |
| .jpe | image/pjpeg |
| .jpeg | image/jpeg |
| .jpeg | image/pjpeg |
| .jpg | image/jpeg |
| .jpg | image/pjpeg |
| .jps | image/x-jps |
| .js | application/x-javascript |
| .js | application/javascript |
| .js | application/ecmascript |
| .js | text/javascript |
| .js | text/ecmascript |
| .jut | image/jutvision |
| .kar | audio/midi |
| .kar | music/x-karaoke |
| .ksh | application/x-ksh |
| .ksh | text/x-script.ksh |
| .la | audio/nspaudio |
| .la | audio/x-nspaudio |
| .lam | audio/x-liveaudio |
| .latex | application/x-latex |
| .lha | application/lha |
| .lha | application/octet-stream |
| .lha | application/x-lha |
| .lhx | application/octet-stream |
| .list | text/plain |
| .lma | audio/nspaudio |
| .lma | audio/x-nspaudio |
| .log | text/plain |
| .lsp | application/x-lisp |
| .lsp | text/x-script.lisp |
| .lst | text/plain |
| .lsx | text/x-la-asf |
| .ltx | application/x-latex |
| .lzh | application/octet-stream |
| .lzh | application/x-lzh |
| .lzx | application/lzx |
| .lzx | application/octet-stream |
| .lzx | application/x-lzx |
| .m | text/plain |
| .m | text/x-m |
| .m1v | video/mpeg |
| .m2a | audio/mpeg |
| .m2v | video/mpeg |
| .m3u | audio/x-mpequrl |
| .man | application/x-troff-man |
| .map | application/x-navimap |
| .mar | text/plain |
| .mbd | application/mbedlet |
| .mc$ | application/x-magic-cap-package-1.0 |
| .mcd | application/mcad |
| .mcd | application/x-mathcad |
| .mcf | image/vasa |
| .mcf | text/mcf |
| .mcp | application/netmc |
| .me | application/x-troff-me |
| .mht | message/rfc822 |
| .mhtml | message/rfc822 |
| .mid | application/x-midi |
| .mid | audio/midi |
| .mid | audio/x-mid |
| .mid | audio/x-midi |
| .mid | music/crescendo |
| .mid | x-music/x-midi |
| .midi | application/x-midi |
| .midi | audio/midi |
| .midi | audio/x-mid |
| .midi | audio/x-midi |
| .midi | music/crescendo |
| .midi | x-music/x-midi |
| .mif | application/x-frame |
| .mif | application/x-mif |
| .mime | message/rfc822 |
| .mime | www/mime |
| .mjf | audio/x-vnd.audioexplosion.mjuicemediafile |
| .mjpg | video/x-motion-jpeg |
| .mm | application/base64 |
| .mm | application/x-meme |
| .mme | application/base64 |
| .mod | audio/mod |
| .mod | audio/x-mod |
| .moov | video/quicktime |
| .mov | video/quicktime |
| .movie | video/x-sgi-movie |
| .mp2 | audio/mpeg |
| .mp2 | audio/x-mpeg |
| .mp2 | video/mpeg |
| .mp2 | video/x-mpeg |
| .mp2 | video/x-mpeq2a |
| .mp3 | audio/mpeg3 |
| .mp3 | audio/x-mpeg-3 |
| .mp3 | video/mpeg |
| .mp3 | video/x-mpeg |
| .mpa | audio/mpeg |
| .mpa | video/mpeg |
| .mpc | application/x-project |
| .mpe | video/mpeg |
| .mpeg | video/mpeg |
| .mpg | audio/mpeg |
| .mpg | video/mpeg |
| .mpga | audio/mpeg |
| .mpp | application/vnd.ms-project |
| .mpt | application/x-project |
| .mpv | application/x-project |
| .mpx | application/x-project |
| .mrc | application/marc |
| .ms | application/x-troff-ms |
| .mv | video/x-sgi-movie |
| .my | audio/make |
| .mzz | application/x-vnd.audioexplosion.mzz |
| .nap | image/naplps |
| .naplps | image/naplps |
| .nc | application/x-netcdf |
| .ncm | application/vnd.nokia.configuration-message |
| .nif | image/x-niff |
| .niff | image/x-niff |
| .nix | application/x-mix-transfer |
| .nsc | application/x-conference |
| .nvd | application/x-navidoc |
| .o | application/octet-stream |
| .oda | application/oda |
| .omc | application/x-omc |
| .omcd | application/x-omcdatamaker |
| .omcr | application/x-omcregerator |
| .p | text/x-pascal |
| .p10 | application/pkcs10 |
| .p10 | application/x-pkcs10 |
| .p12 | application/pkcs-12 |
| .p12 | application/x-pkcs12 |
| .p7a | application/x-pkcs7-signature |
| .p7c | application/pkcs7-mime |
| .p7c | application/x-pkcs7-mime |
| .p7m | application/pkcs7-mime |
| .p7m | application/x-pkcs7-mime |
| .p7r | application/x-pkcs7-certreqresp |
| .p7s | application/pkcs7-signature |
| .part | application/pro_eng |
| .pas | text/pascal |
| .pbm | image/x-portable-bitmap |
| .pcl | application/vnd.hp-pcl |
| .pcl | application/x-pcl |
| .pct | image/x-pict |
| .pcx | image/x-pcx |
| .pdb | chemical/x-pdb |
| application/pdf | |
| .pfunk | audio/make |
| .pfunk | audio/make.my.funk |
| .pgm | image/x-portable-graymap |
| .pgm | image/x-portable-greymap |
| .pic | image/pict |
| .pict | image/pict |
| .pkg | application/x-newton-compatible-pkg |
| .pko | application/vnd.ms-pki.pko |
| .pl | text/plain |
| .pl | text/x-script.perl |
| .plx | application/x-pixclscript |
| .pm | image/x-xpixmap |
| .pm | text/x-script.perl-module |
| .pm4 | application/x-pagemaker |
| .pm5 | application/x-pagemaker |
| .png | image/png |
| .pnm | application/x-portable-anymap |
| .pnm | image/x-portable-anymap |
| .pot | application/mspowerpoint |
| .pot | application/vnd.ms-powerpoint |
| .pov | model/x-pov |
| .ppa | application/vnd.ms-powerpoint |
| .ppm | image/x-portable-pixmap |
| .pps | application/mspowerpoint |
| .pps | application/vnd.ms-powerpoint |
| .ppt | application/mspowerpoint |
| .ppt | application/powerpoint |
| .ppt | application/vnd.ms-powerpoint |
| .ppt | application/x-mspowerpoint |
| .ppz | application/mspowerpoint |
| .pre | application/x-freelance |
| .prt | application/pro_eng |
| .ps | application/postscript |
| .psd | application/octet-stream |
| .pvu | paleovu/x-pv |
| .pwz | application/vnd.ms-powerpoint |
| .py | text/x-script.phyton |
| .pyc | application/x-bytecode.python |
| .qcp | audio/vnd.qcelp |
| .qd3 | x-world/x-3dmf |
| .qd3d | x-world/x-3dmf |
| .qif | image/x-quicktime |
| .qt | video/quicktime |
| .qtc | video/x-qtc |
| .qti | image/x-quicktime |
| .qtif | image/x-quicktime |
| .ra | audio/x-pn-realaudio |
| .ra | audio/x-pn-realaudio-plugin |
| .ra | audio/x-realaudio |
| .ram | audio/x-pn-realaudio |
| .ras | application/x-cmu-raster |
| .ras | image/cmu-raster |
| .ras | image/x-cmu-raster |
| .rast | image/cmu-raster |
| .rexx | text/x-script.rexx |
| .rf | image/vnd.rn-realflash |
| .rgb | image/x-rgb |
| .rm | application/vnd.rn-realmedia |
| .rm | audio/x-pn-realaudio |
| .rmi | audio/mid |
| .rmm | audio/x-pn-realaudio |
| .rmp | audio/x-pn-realaudio |
| .rmp | audio/x-pn-realaudio-plugin |
| .rng | application/ringing-tones |
| .rng | application/vnd.nokia.ringing-tone |
| .rnx | application/vnd.rn-realplayer |
| .roff | application/x-troff |
| .rp | image/vnd.rn-realpix |
| .rpm | audio/x-pn-realaudio-plugin |
| .rt | text/richtext |
| .rt | text/vnd.rn-realtext |
| .rtf | application/rtf |
| .rtf | application/x-rtf |
| .rtf | text/richtext |
| .rtx | application/rtf |
| .rtx | text/richtext |
| .rv | video/vnd.rn-realvideo |
| .s | text/x-asm |
| .s3m | audio/s3m |
| .saveme | application/octet-stream |
| .sbk | application/x-tbook |
| .scm | application/x-lotusscreencam |
| .scm | text/x-script.guile |
| .scm | text/x-script.scheme |
| .scm | video/x-scm |
| .sdml | text/plain |
| .sdp | application/sdp |
| .sdp | application/x-sdp |
| .sdr | application/sounder |
| .sea | application/sea |
| .sea | application/x-sea |
| .set | application/set |
| .sgm | text/sgml |
| .sgm | text/x-sgml |
| .sgml | text/sgml |
| .sgml | text/x-sgml |
| .sh | application/x-bsh |
| .sh | application/x-sh |
| .sh | application/x-shar |
| .sh | text/x-script.sh |
| .shar | application/x-bsh |
| .shar | application/x-shar |
| .shtml | text/html |
| .shtml | text/x-server-parsed-html |
| .sid | audio/x-psid |
| .sit | application/x-sit |
| .sit | application/x-stuffit |
| .skd | application/x-koan |
| .skm | application/x-koan |
| .skp | application/x-koan |
| .skt | application/x-koan |
| .sl | application/x-seelogo |
| .smi | application/smil |
| .smil | application/smil |
| .snd | audio/basic |
| .snd | audio/x-adpcm |
| .sol | application/solids |
| .spc | application/x-pkcs7-certificates |
| .spc | text/x-speech |
| .spl | application/futuresplash |
| .spr | application/x-sprite |
| .sprite | application/x-sprite |
| .src | application/x-wais-source |
| .ssi | text/x-server-parsed-html |
| .ssm | application/streamingmedia |
| .sst | application/vnd.ms-pki.certstore |
| .step | application/step |
| .stl | application/sla |
| .stl | application/vnd.ms-pki.stl |
| .stl | application/x-navistyle |
| .stp | application/step |
| .sv4cpio | application/x-sv4cpio |
| .sv4crc | application/x-sv4crc |
| .svf | image/vnd.dwg |
| .svf | image/x-dwg |
| .svr | application/x-world |
| .svr | x-world/x-svr |
| .swf | application/x-shockwave-flash |
| .t | application/x-troff |
| .talk | text/x-speech |
| .tar | application/x-tar |
| .tbk | application/toolbook |
| .tbk | application/x-tbook |
| .tcl | application/x-tcl |
| .tcl | text/x-script.tcl |
| .tcsh | text/x-script.tcsh |
| .tex | application/x-tex |
| .texi | application/x-texinfo |
| .texinfo | application/x-texinfo |
| .text | application/plain |
| .text | text/plain |
| .tgz | application/gnutar |
| .tgz | application/x-compressed |
| .tif | image/tiff |
| .tif | image/x-tiff |
| .tiff | image/tiff |
| .tiff | image/x-tiff |
| .tr | application/x-troff |
| .tsi | audio/tsp-audio |
| .tsp | application/dsptype |
| .tsp | audio/tsplayer |
| .tsv | text/tab-separated-values |
| .turbot | image/florian |
| .txt | text/plain |
| .uil | text/x-uil |
| .uni | text/uri-list |
| .unis | text/uri-list |
| .unv | application/i-deas |
| .uri | text/uri-list |
| .uris | text/uri-list |
| .ustar | application/x-ustar |
| .ustar | multipart/x-ustar |
| .uu | application/octet-stream |
| .uu | text/x-uuencode |
| .uue | text/x-uuencode |
| .vcd | application/x-cdlink |
| .vcs | text/x-vcalendar |
| .vda | application/vda |
| .vdo | video/vdo |
| .vew | application/groupwise |
| .viv | video/vivo |
| .viv | video/vnd.vivo |
| .vivo | video/vivo |
| .vivo | video/vnd.vivo |
| .vmd | application/vocaltec-media-desc |
| .vmf | application/vocaltec-media-file |
| .voc | audio/voc |
| .voc | audio/x-voc |
| .vos | video/vosaic |
| .vox | audio/voxware |
| .vqe | audio/x-twinvq-plugin |
| .vqf | audio/x-twinvq |
| .vql | audio/x-twinvq-plugin |
| .vrml | application/x-vrml |
| .vrml | model/vrml |
| .vrml | x-world/x-vrml |
| .vrt | x-world/x-vrt |
| .vsd | application/x-visio |
| .vst | application/x-visio |
| .vsw | application/x-visio |
| .w60 | application/wordperfect6.0 |
| .w61 | application/wordperfect6.1 |
| .w6w | application/msword |
| .wav | audio/wav |
| .wav | audio/x-wav |
| .wb1 | application/x-qpro |
| .wbmp | image/vnd.wap.wbmp |
| .web | application/vnd.xara |
| .wiz | application/msword |
| .wk1 | application/x-123 |
| .wmf | windows/metafile |
| .wml | text/vnd.wap.wml |
| .wmlc | application/vnd.wap.wmlc |
| .wmls | text/vnd.wap.wmlscript |
| .wmlsc | application/vnd.wap.wmlscriptc |
| .word | application/msword |
| .wp | application/wordperfect |
| .wp5 | application/wordperfect |
| .wp5 | application/wordperfect6.0 |
| .wp6 | application/wordperfect |
| .wpd | application/wordperfect |
| .wpd | application/x-wpwin |
| .wq1 | application/x-lotus |
| .wri | application/mswrite |
| .wri | application/x-wri |
| .wrl | application/x-world |
| .wrl | model/vrml |
| .wrl | x-world/x-vrml |
| .wrz | model/vrml |
| .wrz | x-world/x-vrml |
| .wsc | text/scriplet |
| .wsrc | application/x-wais-source |
| .wtk | application/x-wintalk |
| .xbm | image/x-xbitmap |
| .xbm | image/x-xbm |
| .xbm | image/xbm |
| .xdr | video/x-amt-demorun |
| .xgz | xgl/drawing |
| .xif | image/vnd.xiff |
| .xl | application/excel |
| .xla | application/excel |
| .xla | application/x-excel |
| .xla | application/x-msexcel |
| .xlb | application/excel |
| .xlb | application/vnd.ms-excel |
| .xlb | application/x-excel |
| .xlc | application/excel |
| .xlc | application/vnd.ms-excel |
| .xlc | application/x-excel |
| .xld | application/excel |
| .xld | application/x-excel |
| .xlk | application/excel |
| .xlk | application/x-excel |
| .xll | application/excel |
| .xll | application/vnd.ms-excel |
| .xll | application/x-excel |
| .xlm | application/excel |
| .xlm | application/vnd.ms-excel |
| .xlm | application/x-excel |
| .xls | application/excel |
| .xls | application/vnd.ms-excel |
| .xls | application/x-excel |
| .xls | application/x-msexcel |
| .xlt | application/excel |
| .xlt | application/x-excel |
| .xlv | application/excel |
| .xlv | application/x-excel |
| .xlw | application/excel |
| .xlw | application/vnd.ms-excel |
| .xlw | application/x-excel |
| .xlw | application/x-msexcel |
| .xm | audio/xm |
| .xml | application/xml |
| .xml | text/xml |
| .xmz | xgl/movie |
| .xpix | application/x-vnd.ls-xpix |
| .xpm | image/x-xpixmap |
| .xpm | image/xpm |
| .x-png | image/png |
| .xsr | video/x-amt-showrun |
| .xwd | image/x-xwd |
| .xwd | image/x-xwindowdump |
| .xyz | chemical/x-pdb |
| .z | application/x-compress |
| .z | application/x-compressed |
| .zip | application/x-compressed |
| .zip | application/x-zip-compressed |
| .zip | application/zip |
| .zip | multipart/x-zip |
| .zoo | application/octet-stream |
| .zsh | text/x-script.zsh |
