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MIME Type Lookup

Find the right content type for any file extension.

Developer Tools Free, no sign-up Runs in your browser

ExtensionMIME typeNotes

About the MIME Type Lookup

MIME Type Lookup answers the question that comes up whenever a file downloads instead of displaying, or displays as plain text instead of running: what Content-Type header should this extension be served with.

Search works in both directions. Type an extension to get its type, or type part of a content type to see every extension that uses it. Each entry notes whether the type is text-based, whether it should carry a charset parameter, and whether browsers typically display it inline or download it.

For the common web types, the tool also generates the server configuration line, for Apache, nginx and Express, which is usually what you actually need once you have the answer. A font or a WebP image served with the wrong type is one configuration line away from working.

How to use the MIME Type Lookup

  1. Search by extension or typeType .webp, or type image to see every image type.
  2. Read the entryCategory, whether it needs a charset, and typical browser behaviour.
  3. Copy the server lineApache, nginx and Express snippets are generated for you.
  4. Check the notesSome types have deprecated alternatives still in use.

Features

  • Hundreds of extensions with their registered types
  • Search by extension or by content type
  • Notes on charset requirements
  • Says whether browsers display or download each type
  • Apache, nginx and Express configuration snippets
  • Flags deprecated types still found in the wild
  • Works offline once the page has loaded

Who uses this tool

The mime type lookup is used by writers, developers, students, marketers and anyone else who needs the job done once without installing software. Common cases include:

  • Fixing a font that fails to load
  • Serving WebP or AVIF images correctly
  • Setting the right header for a file download
  • Checking what type an upload validator should accept
  • Configuring a static file server

Frequently asked questions

Why does my file download instead of displaying?

Usually the wrong Content-Type, or a Content-Disposition header set to attachment. A browser decides what to do with a response from its type, so a PDF served as application/octet-stream downloads rather than opening.

Which types need a charset?

Text-based types: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, JSON, XML and plain text. Without charset=utf-8, browsers fall back to a default that mangles accented characters. Binary types do not take a charset.

Is the type determined by the file extension?

On a server, yes, almost always by an extension-to-type mapping. Browsers mostly trust the header rather than the extension, and will sniff the content in some cases. Setting the header correctly is the reliable route.

What is application/octet-stream?

The generic fallback meaning unknown binary data. A browser given it will download rather than display. Seeing it is a sign your server has no mapping for that extension.

Do JavaScript modules need a special type?

They need text/javascript and must be served over a correct type, because browsers refuse to execute a module served as plain text. This is a common cause of a module that loads but never runs.

Does this check my server?

No. It is a reference table. Check your server's actual headers with your browser's network panel or a command-line request.

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