What is MIME type "text/x-log"?

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

The MIME type text/x-log is used for plain text log files. It signals that the file holds a record of events, errors, or system messages.

Because these files contain unformatted text, any basic text editor can open them. This is useful when diagnosing problems or tracking application activity.

Diagnostics: Captures error messages and events.
Troubleshooting: Helps identify issues in software or hardware.
Monitoring: Tracks system operations and performance over time.
Audit Trails: Logs user activities and system changes.

Files with this MIME type typically use the LOG extension. For more detailed technical information on MIME types, see MDN Web Docs.

Associated file extensions

.log

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: text/x-log

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.log

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.