What is MIME type "text/pdf"?

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

The MIME type text/pdf is meant to label files that contain Portable Document Format data. However, the standard and widely accepted type for such documents is application/pdf.
When text/pdf is used, systems may treat the file content as plain text rather than a binary document. This can lead to issues in displaying the intended layouts and graphics.

Files in the PDF family—such as PDF—are designed to preserve fonts, images, and overall formatting across different platforms.

• Main use case: Marking documents meant for fixed page layout and consistent appearance.
• Technical note: The file is inherently binary, and using text/pdf may cause misinterpretation in text-based processing.
• Best practice: Use application/pdf to ensure proper handling in browsers and applications.
• Alternative usage: Some legacy systems or misconfigurations may set the type as text/pdf without changing the file’s core characteristics.

For more details on file handling and MIME types, visit this reference.

Associated file extensions

.pdf

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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

    Content-Type: text/pdf
  

HTML

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

    <a href="file.dat" type="text/pdf">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', 'text/pdf');
      res.end('Content here');
    }).listen(3000);
  

Associated file extensions

.pdf