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

FAQs

Do modern web browsers support image/x-pcx files?

No, modern browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Edge do not natively display PCX files. If you use the image/x-pcx MIME type on a webpage, the browser will likely prompt the user to download the file instead of showing the image. To display these graphics online, you must convert them to a standard format like image/png or image/jpeg.

How do I configure Apache to serve PCX files correctly?

You can define the MIME type in your .htaccess or main configuration file. Add the line AddType image/x-pcx .pcx .dcx to ensure the server identifies these files correctly. This helps client software understand that the file is a legacy ZSoft Paintbrush image.

What is the difference between .pcx and .dcx extensions?

The .dcx extension represents a multi-page PCX file. While a standard .pcx file contains a single raster image, a .dcx file (often associated with older fax software) wraps multiple PCX images into a single container. Both generally use the image/x-pcx or image/dcx MIME type depending on the server setup.

Why does the MIME type have an 'x-' prefix?

The 'x-' prefix indicates that the type is non-standard or experimental. The PCX format was created by ZSoft for PC Paintbrush before modern internet standards were finalized, and it was never registered as a standard type with IANA. Therefore, image/x-pcx is the accepted convention for identifying these files.

Which software can open files with the image/x-pcx MIME type?

Most advanced image editors and viewers support PCX. Tools like GIMP, Adobe Photoshop, IrfanView, and XnView can read and write this format. It is also frequently supported by retro-gaming emulators and archival software dealing with DOS-era assets.

Is image/pcx the same as image/x-pcx?

They refer to the same file format, but image/x-pcx is the most common identifier. Some servers or applications might be configured to use image/pcx, but because the format is not an IANA standard, the version with the x- prefix is technically more appropriate for defining private or subtype streams.

Should I use PCX for storing new images?

Generally, no; it is considered an obsolete format. While PCX uses Run-Length Encoding (RLE) which is lossless, modern formats like image/png offer significantly better compression ratios and universal compatibility. PCX is primarily useful today for digital archiving or modifying assets for retro software and legacy hardware.

General 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.