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For the official, current list of MIME types, consult IANA’s Media Types registry. This alphabetized guide explains how to find a type, choose the right value for a file, and set an HTTP Content-Type header. IANA’s registry was last updated September 24, 2026; because registrations change, use it as the source of truth for exact names and status.
What is a MIME type?
“MIME type” is the familiar name for a media type: a label describing the format of a piece of content. RFC 6838 defines a media type as a top-level type and a subtype, optionally followed by parameters. The basic form is type/subtype, such as text/html. A parameter follows a semicolon, as in text/plain; charset=UTF-8; it is not part of the base type.
The type and subtype describe the representation, not a ranking of formats. RFC 6838 also organizes subtypes into registration trees, which distinguish, for example, standards-track registrations from vendor or personal trees. Check the IANA entry for the registration details and references.
Where to find the complete MIME-type list
The IANA Media Types registry is the canonical directory of official registrations. It is divided into top-level directories for application, audio, example, font, haptics, image, message, model, multipart, text, and video. The example category is reserved for examples and has no registrations.
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To find a type, open the directory matching the content’s broad category and look up its subtype. IANA’s registry is continually maintained, so a static list can become incomplete or out of date. This reference was checked against the registry last updated September 24, 2026; verify any exact value, spelling, status, or linked specification in IANA before relying on it.
Common MIME types by category
These examples orient you to common formats; they are not a substitute for the full registry. The current IANA entry is the authority for registration details and references.
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| Top-level type | Example media types | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
application |
application/json, application/pdf |
Structured data and documents |
audio |
audio/aac |
AAC audio |
image |
image/jpeg, image/png |
JPEG and PNG images |
text |
text/css, text/csv, text/html, text/javascript, text/plain |
Text documents, stylesheets, and scripts |
video |
video/mp4 |
MP4 video |
Examples are listed by MDN’s MIME types guide. Consult IANA for each current registration and its reference.
How to choose the right MIME type
- Identify what the content actually is. Choose the media type for the representation being served, rather than assuming the filename extension settles the question.
- Look up the exact value in IANA. Confirm the top-level type, subtype spelling, registration details, and reference in the matching directory.
- Add parameters only when they apply. For example, a text representation may use a charset parameter. Keep parameters separate from the base
type/subtype. - Use a safe fallback if the format is unknown. For unknown text, use
text/plain; for unknown binary data, useapplication/octet-streamuntil you can identify a more specific registered type. - Set the HTTP response header to match. Send the selected value in
Content-Type, including any applicable parameters.
File extensions are useful clues, but they are not authoritative: the same extension can appear in different contexts, and the intended processing depends on the content being represented. MDN notes that browsers use the MIME type, not the extension, to determine how to process a URL. An incorrect Content-Type can cause a resource to be interpreted incorrectly or handled as a download.
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How to alphabetize a MIME-type reference
For a readable static list, make one section for each IANA top-level directory, then sort the subtype names alphabetically within each section. Include the full media type, a plain-language description, common extensions where applicable, registration tree or status, and the IANA or RFC reference. Label the date the list was checked, since the registry changes.
Do not infer registration status from a type’s popularity, and do not treat an extension as a unique identifier. Use the IANA entry for the current name, status, and reference. New media types follow the registration procedures described by RFC 6838, rather than being created ad hoc.
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