> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://kb.hosting.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# MIME types in cPanel

> Learn to configure custom MIME types in cPanel, understand their difference from Apache handlers, and get tips on managing them.

This article describes how to use cPanel to configure custom MIME types for your web site. MIME types are used to specify how certain file types are processed by the web browser.

## What are MIME types?

MIME types specify how a web browser should handle certain types of files. For example, the *application/pdf* MIME type instructs browsers to handle files with a.pdf extension as Portable Document Format files. If you have custom PDF files with a.mypdf extension, you could add a custom MIME type so browsers correctly interpret your.mypdf files as PDF files.

<Note>
  People are sometimes confused about the difference between MIME types and Apache handlers. MIME types instruct the *browser* how to process files, whereas Apache handlers instruct the *server* how to process files.

  ❗️ Warning

  Before you add a custom MIME type, check the list of MIME types that are already defined for the web site. Adding custom MIME types can easily alter how your web site functions and cause unintended effects.
</Note>

## Adding a custom MIME type

To add a custom MIME type, follow these steps:

1. Log in to cPanel.
   > 📘 Note
   >
   > If you do not know how to log in to your cPanel account, please see [this article](/docs/accessing-cpanel).

2. On the **Tools** page, in the **Advanced** section, click **MIME Types**:\
   ![cPanel - Advanced - MIME Types icon](https://static.hosting.com/kb/kb-cpanel-jupiter-advanced-mime-types-icon.png)

3. Under **Create A MIME Type**, in the **MIME Type** text box, type the MIME type that you want to add. For example, type `application/pdf`.

4. In the **Extension(s)** text box, type the file extension or extensions that you want to add for the MIME type. For example, type `mypdf`.

5. Click **Add**. cPanel adds the custom MIME type.

## Deleting a custom MIME type

You can delete custom MIME types at any time. However, you cannot delete system-wide MIME types.

<Note>
  Please open a support ticket at [https://my.hosting.com](https://my.hosting.com) if you are experiencing issues with a system-wide MIME type.
</Note>

To delete a custom MIME type, follow these steps:

1. Log in to cPanel.
   > 📘 Note
   >
   > If you do not know how to log in to your cPanel account, please see [this article](/docs/accessing-cpanel).

2. On the **Tools** page, in the **Advanced** section, click **MIME Types**:\
   ![cPanel - Advanced - MIME Types icon](https://static.hosting.com/kb/kb-cpanel-jupiter-advanced-mime-types-icon.png)

3. Under **User Defined MIME Types**, under **Actions**, click **Delete** for the custom MIME type that you want to delete.

4. Click **Delete MIME Type**. cPanel deletes the custom MIME type.

## More information

For more information about MIME types, please visit [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet\_media\_type](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_media_type).

## Related articles

* [Apache handlers](/docs/apache-handlers)

* [Configuring directory indexes](/docs/index-manager)

* [Error pages](/docs/custom-error-pages)