MIME Types
A static developer directory of core MIME types with Content-Type examples, extension mappings, compression hints, and server config snippets.
What a MIME type tells the browser
MIME types sit in the Content-Type header and tell browsers, APIs, CDNs, and file pipelines how to interpret a payload. This directory focuses on high-utility web and developer formats, then links each media type back to the file extensions your team is more likely to recognize in day-to-day work.
Curated core entries across application, text, image, audio, video, and font families.
Application MIME Types
- applicationCompressible
application/json
JSON is the default payload format for APIs, config files, and web app data exchange, so its MIME type shows up in almost every modern stack.
Extensions.json.map - applicationCompressible
application/javascript
JavaScript responses tell browsers and runtimes to execute source code, so correct MIME headers matter for module loading and CSP-safe delivery.
Extensions.js - applicationBinary-heavy
application/pdf
PDF keeps layout stable across platforms, which is why teams reach for it when contracts, reports, and print-ready assets cannot shift in transit.
Extensions.pdf - applicationCompressible
application/xml
XML remains common in feeds, enterprise integrations, sitemaps, and document standards that rely on schema validation and explicit namespaces.
Extensions.xml - applicationBinary-heavy
application/sql
SQL files package schema changes, seed data, and reproducible queries for database review and deployment workflows.
Extensions.sql - applicationBinary-heavy
application/gzip
Gzip wraps compressed payloads for archives and transfer pipelines, making it common in download bundles and server-side asset packaging.
Extensions.gz - applicationBinary-heavy
application/epub+zip
EPUB packages long-form digital books into a ZIP-based container that keeps navigation, chapters, and assets together for reading apps.
Extensions.epub - applicationBinary-heavy
application/msword
Classic Microsoft Word documents still appear in legacy workflows, procurement handoffs, and regulated document archives.
Extensions.doc.dot - applicationBinary-heavy
application/vnd.ms-excel
Legacy Excel workbooks are still used for financial models and offline reporting where older spreadsheet tooling remains in circulation.
Extensions.xla.xlc.xlm.xls - applicationBinary-heavy
application/vnd.ms-powerpoint
PowerPoint slide decks remain a standard delivery format for sales, investor, and internal presentation work.
Extensions.pot.pps.ppt - applicationBinary-heavy
application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document
DOCX is the modern Word document format, packaged as Office Open XML for collaboration, comments, and template-driven drafting.
Extensions.docx - applicationBinary-heavy
application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.spreadsheetml.sheet
XLSX is the default spreadsheet handoff for analysts and operators who need structured sheets without legacy binary baggage.
Extensions.xlsx - applicationBinary-heavy
application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.presentationml.presentation
PPTX stores presentations in the modern Office Open XML container, which is easier to inspect, diff, and automate than the older binary format.
Extensions.pptx - applicationCompressible
application/x-sh
Shell scripts move automation between local terminals, CI jobs, and provisioning systems, making the MIME type useful for uploads and code review pipelines.
Extensions.sh - applicationCompressible
application/x-httpd-php
PHP source files are typically served as code artifacts rather than raw downloads, so this MIME type matters in editor tooling and server config edge cases.
Extensions.php
Audio MIME Types
- audioBinary-heavy
audio/aac
AAC balances quality and bitrate for streaming and mobile delivery, which is why it appears in media pipelines and device exports.
Extensions.aac - audioBinary-heavy
audio/mpeg
MPEG audio covers MP3-style delivery for podcasts, downloads, and compatibility-first publishing workflows.
Extensions.mp2 - audioBinary-heavy
audio/mp4
Audio-only MP4 containers are common when streaming systems reuse MPEG-4 packaging without a video track.
Extensions.m4a - audioBinary-heavy
audio/ogg
Ogg packages compressed audio for open media pipelines and browser delivery where patent-free formats are preferred.
Extensions.ogg - audioBinary-heavy
audio/wav
WAV keeps audio close to source quality, so it is widely used in editing, archiving, and speech-processing pipelines.
Extensions.wav - audioBinary-heavy
audio/x-flac
FLAC preserves audio fidelity while shrinking file size, making it popular in archival libraries and high-quality distribution.
Extensions.flac
Font MIME Types
- fontCompressible
font/otf
OTF fonts bundle outlines and advanced typographic features for desktop publishing and webfont conversion workflows.
Extensions.otf - fontCompressible
font/ttf
TTF remains a widely supported font format for native apps, design exports, and legacy install flows.
Extensions.ttf - fontCompressible
font/woff
WOFF is optimized for the web, reducing transfer weight while preserving the underlying font data browsers need to render text.
Extensions.woff - fontCompressible
font/woff2
WOFF2 is the compressed webfont standard most teams ship in production to reduce font download cost without sacrificing browser support.
Extensions.woff2
Image MIME Types
- imageBinary-heavy
image/png
PNG is the go-to raster format for screenshots, UI assets, and graphics that need sharp edges or transparent backgrounds.
Extensions.png - imageBinary-heavy
image/jpeg
JPEG remains the default for photos and rich imagery where small file sizes matter more than transparency or perfect edge fidelity.
Extensions.jpeg.jpg - imageBinary-heavy
image/gif
GIF is still used for simple animations and low-color graphics where compatibility matters more than compression efficiency.
Extensions.gif - imageBinary-heavy
image/webp
WebP is a web delivery format tuned for lighter images, often replacing PNG or JPEG when modern browser support is acceptable.
Extensions.webp - imageBinary-heavy
image/avif
AVIF targets aggressive image compression for the modern web, trading older compatibility for smaller payloads and strong visual quality.
Extensions.avif - imageCompressible
image/svg+xml
SVG serves vector artwork and interface icons as text-based markup, which keeps graphics crisp and scriptable at any size.
Extensions.svg - imageCompressible
image/vnd.microsoft.icon
ICO packages one or more favicon sizes in a format browsers and desktop systems still expect for app and site icons.
Extensions.ico
Text MIME Types
- textCompressible
text/html
HTML responses power document rendering on the web, so getting the MIME type right affects browser parsing, caching, and SEO-friendly delivery.
Extensions.htm.html - textCompressible
text/plain
Plain text is the safe fallback for logs, notes, and lightweight config fragments when you need maximum readability and compatibility.
Extensions.conf.ini.log.txt - textCompressible
text/csv
CSV is the simplest handoff for tabular data, making it a staple for imports, exports, and analyst-friendly workflows.
Extensions.csv - textCompressible
text/markdown
Markdown keeps content portable between docs, repos, and CMS workflows by pairing readable plain text with lightweight formatting.
Extensions.markdown.md - textCompressible
text/tab-separated-values
TSV moves structured data without comma-escaping headaches, which helps when datasets contain many free-form text fields.
Extensions.tsv - textCompressible
text/vtt
WebVTT delivers captions and subtitles to browsers and video players, keeping media accessible and searchable.
Extensions.vtt - textCompressible
text/yaml
YAML is common in infrastructure, CI, and content configs where humans need to review nested settings quickly.
Extensions.yaml.yml
Video MIME Types
- videoBinary-heavy
video/mp2t
MPEG transport streams are used in broadcast, streaming segments, and media delivery workflows that prioritize packetized transport.
Extensions.ts - videoBinary-heavy
video/mpeg
MPEG video remains relevant in legacy media catalogs and device exports where broad decoder support matters.
Extensions.m2v.mpe.mpeg.mpg - videoBinary-heavy
video/ogg
Ogg video is an open-media container for browser-friendly playback when teams avoid proprietary codecs and packaging.
Extensions.ogv - videoBinary-heavy
video/quicktime
QuickTime MOV files are still common in editing suites and camera exports, especially when preserving richer production metadata.
Extensions.mov - videoBinary-heavy
video/webm
WebM is optimized for browser playback and streaming efficiency, making it a strong delivery format for modern web video.
Extensions.webm - videoBinary-heavy
video/x-flv
FLV survives in older media archives and migration projects even though it is no longer a preferred delivery format.
Extensions.flv - videoBinary-heavy
video/x-m4v
M4V is an MP4-adjacent container that often appears in Apple-centric media libraries and export presets.
Extensions.m4v - videoBinary-heavy
video/x-msvideo
AVI persists in older editing, capture, and enterprise archive workflows where compatibility with legacy tooling still matters.
Extensions.avi