What is MIME type "image/x-pcx"?

A MIME type is a string that tells browsers and other tools how to handle a particular kind of file.

image/x-pcx is the MIME type for the PCX image format. This format belongs to a legacy set of graphics file types from the early PC era.
It was created for simple, raster-based image storage and is known for its use of run-length encoding to compress image data efficiently.
PCX files were popular with early image editors like PC Paintbrush and are still found in digital archives and retro software.

Used in older graphics applications for displaying and editing images
Supports both palette-based and true color images
Can store multiple images in a single file variant, as seen with DCX

You may also encounter this format with files like PCX, PCC, or PPC.
Each serves the same overall purpose of holding raster image data in a compact, easy-to-decode format. For further details, check out resources like this reference.

Associated file extensions

.dcx, .pcx, .pcc, .ppc

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

When serving content with this MIME type, set the Content-Type header:


    Content-Type: image/x-pcx

HTML

In HTML, you can specify the MIME type in various elements:


    <a href="file.dat" type="image/x-pcx">Download file</a>

Server-side (Node.js)

Setting the Content-Type header in Node.js:


    const http = require('http');
    
    http.createServer((req, res) => {
      res.setHeader('Content-Type', 'image/x-pcx');
      res.end('Content here');
    }).listen(3000);

Associated file extensions

.dcx, .pcx, .pcc, .ppc

FAQ

What is a MIME type?

A MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) type is a standard that indicates the nature and format of a document, file, or assortment of bytes. MIME types are defined and standardized in IETF's RFC 6838.

MIME types are important because they help browsers and servers understand how to process a file. When a browser receives a file from a server, it uses the MIME type to determine how to display or handle the content, whether it's an image to display, a PDF to open in a viewer, or a video to play.

MIME types consist of a type and a subtype, separated by a slash (e.g., text/html, image/jpeg, application/pdf). Some MIME types also include optional parameters.

How do I find the MIME type for a file?

You can check the file extension or use a file identification tool such as file --mime-type on the command line. Many programming languages also provide libraries to detect MIME types.

Why are multiple MIME types listed for one extension?

Different applications and historical conventions may use alternative MIME identifiers for the same kind of file. Showing them all helps ensure compatibility across systems.