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HTTP Header
Content-Type
ResponseSpecifies the media type of the resource being sent to the client or server.
HTTP header reference, syntax, examples, and developer usage.
What is the Content-Type header?
The Content-Type HTTP header is used to transmit metadata between a client and server as part of HTTP requests or responses.
HTTP headers define how content should be interpreted, cached, authenticated, secured, or processed by browsers and APIs.
Direction
This is a response header sent by the server to the client.
Syntax
Content-Type: type/subtype
Example
Content-Type: application/json
Common use cases
- Sending JSON API responses
- Serving HTML pages
- Uploading form data
Common mistakes
- Using the header in the wrong request or response context
- Sending invalid header values
- Incorrect header syntax
- Assuming the header automatically changes server behaviour