# How to use MIME Types in cPanel

> MIME Types tell browsers how to handle the different file types your website serves, so they are displayed or downloaded correctly.

Source: https://www.kualo.com/knowledgebase/cpanel-advanced/how-to-use-mime-types-in-cpanel
Updated: 2026-06-11

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A **MIME type** tells a web browser what kind of file it is receiving, so it knows whether to display it, play it, or offer it as a download. Common types are already defined, but you can add your own if your site serves an unusual file type that browsers do not recognise. Like Apache Handlers, this is an advanced tool that most websites never need.

## Open MIME Types

Log in to cPanel and, in the **Advanced** section, click **MIME Types**.

![The MIME Types tool in cPanel](https://kb-cdn.kualo.com/5f/d9/5fd9d838757d680bf112b71bdc305420f1e6240a.png)

## Create a MIME type

In the **Create A MIME Type** section:

1. In the **MIME Type** box, enter the type (for example `text/html`).
2. In the **Extension(s)** box, enter the file extension or extensions it applies to. Separate multiple extensions with a space.
3. Click **Add**.

Your entry appears in the **User Defined MIME Types** table, where you can remove it later from the **Actions** column.

## Built-in MIME types

The **System MIME Types** table lists the many types the server already recognises. These are provided for reference and cannot be changed.

:::tip
Adding a MIME type is occasionally useful when a new file format will not download or open correctly. If your site is working normally, you do not need to add anything here.
:::


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_Source: Kualo Knowledgebase — https://www.kualo.com/knowledgebase/cpanel-advanced/how-to-use-mime-types-in-cpanel · © Kualo Ltd._