Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about MIME types, file extensions, and using mime-type.com.
What is a MIME type?
A MIME type (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions type) is a standard way to indicate the nature and format of a document, file, or collection of bytes. MIME types consist of a type and subtype, separated by a slash (e.g., text/html, image/jpeg, application/pdf).
Originally developed for email attachments, MIME types are now used throughout the internet to tell browsers and applications how to handle different types of content.
What is a file extension?
A file extension is a suffix added to the end of a filename to indicate the file format. Extensions typically consist of a period followed by 2-4 characters (e.g., .html, .jpg, .pdf). While file extensions provide hints about content type, the actual MIME type is more reliable for determining how to process a file.
How are MIME types and file extensions related?
File extensions and MIME types are related but serve different purposes:
- File extensions are part of the filename and provide a visual clue about the file type
- MIME types are used by web servers and browsers to determine how to handle the content
- Multiple file extensions can map to the same MIME type (e.g., .jpg and .jpeg both use image/jpeg)
- Some MIME types don't have commonly associated file extensions
How do I find the MIME type for a specific file extension?
You can use our file extensions directory or search function to find the MIME type associated with any file extension. Each file extension page shows all related MIME types and provides detailed information about the format.
How do I find file extensions for a specific MIME type?
Visit our MIME types directory to browse by category, or use the search function to find a specific MIME type. Each MIME type page lists all associated file extensions and provides comprehensive format information.
Why are some MIME types listed without file extensions?
Some MIME types are used for content that doesn't typically exist as files with extensions, such as:
- Network protocols and communication formats
- Dynamically generated content
- Specialized application formats
- Content types used internally by applications
How accurate is the information on this website?
Our database is compiled from authoritative sources including the IANA Media Types Registry, W3C specifications, relevant RFCs, and official documentation from format creators. We regularly update our data to ensure accuracy and completeness.
Can I use this information for my web server configuration?
Yes! The MIME type information provided here is suitable for configuring web servers like Apache, Nginx, and IIS. Many server configurations use similar MIME type mappings to serve content with proper headers.
What should I do if I find incorrect or missing information?
We welcome corrections and additions to our database. Please contact us at [email protected] with details about any inaccuracies or missing MIME types and file extensions.
Is this website free to use?
Yes, mime-type.com is completely free to use for personal, educational, and commercial purposes. We believe that access to accurate MIME type information should be available to everyone.
Can I use this data in my own application?
The MIME type and file extension data we present is based on public standards and specifications. You're welcome to reference our information, but we recommend consulting the original sources (like IANA) for programmatic use to ensure you have the most current data.