Image to Base64 Converter
Convert your images to Base64 data URLs instantly. Perfect for embedding images directly in HTML, CSS, or JavaScript without external files. Reduce HTTP requests and make your code more portable.
Upload Your Image
Choose an image file to convert to Base64 format
About Base64 Encoding
Base64 encoding allows you to embed images directly in your HTML, CSS, or JavaScript code without external files.
Best for: Small images, icons, and simple graphics under 10KB
Note: Base64 encoding increases file size by approximately 33%
How It Works
Upload Image
Select any image file from your device
Convert
Our tool encodes your image to Base64
Copy & Use
Get HTML, CSS, and data URL formats
Free Image to Base64 Converter (JPG, PNG, GIF, SVG)
Turn any image into a Base64 string you can embed directly in HTML, CSS, or JavaScript. Upload your JPG, PNG, GIF, WebP, or SVG file and get a data URL you can copy-paste into your code. No server uploads needed—everything happens in your browser.
Why Base64? It eliminates extra HTTP requests for small images (icons, logos, buttons), makes email templates self-contained, and lets offline apps work without external files. Downside: files get about 33% bigger, so only use it for images under 10KB.
How to Convert Images to Base64
Quick Start Guide
- Click the upload button above or drag your image file
- Wait for instant conversion (happens in your browser, no upload)
- Copy the Base64 data URL from the output box
- Paste into HTML, CSS, or JavaScript code
Supported formats: JPG, JPEG, PNG, GIF, WebP, SVG, BMP. Maximum recommended size: 10KB for web use.
What the Converter Gives You
Base64 Data URL:
data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAUA...HTML Image Tag:
<img src="data:image/png;base64,iVBORw..." alt="Description" />CSS Background:
background-image: url('data:image/png;base64,iVBORw...');When to Use Base64 Images (Real Examples)
Email Templates That Work Everywhere
Email clients block external images by default. Your logo or button might not load. Base64 images are embedded in the HTML itself, so they always show up—no image blocking.
What to embed: Company logo, social media icons, small buttons, email signature graphics. Keep each under 5KB. Learn more about email client compatibility.
Speed Up Your Website
Every image on your page requires a separate server request. If you have 10 tiny icons, that's 10 requests slowing down load time. Embed them as Base64 in your CSS and reduce that to zero extra requests.
Best for: UI icons, loading spinners, small decorative graphics. Check our other tools for more optimization utilities.
Offline-First Applications
Building a Progressive Web App or Electron desktop app that works offline? Base64 images are part of your HTML/CSS bundle, so they work without internet. No missing images when users go offline.
Example: Note-taking apps, offline documentation, installed web apps. See how to handle JSON data in our JSON formatter guide.
Sending Images Through APIs
Your API needs to send user avatars or product thumbnails in JSON responses. Instead of sending URLs (which require another request), send the Base64 string directly. Client gets everything in one response.
Use case: User profiles, invoice PDFs, generated QR codes. Generate unique IDs with our UUID generator.
What is Base64 Encoding? (Plain English)
Base64 is a way to represent binary data (like images) as text. Your image file is made of bytes—numbers that computers understand but can't be typed into a text editor. Base64 converts those bytes into letters, numbers, and a couple symbols that you can type and paste.
Think of it like this: You have a photo (binary data). Base64 is like describing that photo using only the alphabet and numbers. The description is longer than the original, but now you can put it anywhere text can go—HTML files, CSS stylesheets, JavaScript variables, JSON data.
Anatomy of a Base64 Data URL
data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAUA...Learn more about data URLs in the MDN Web Docs.
When to Use Base64 vs Regular Images
✅ Use Base64 When:
- Image is under 10KB
- Need offline functionality
- Email templates
- Reducing HTTP requests matters
- Sending images via API/JSON
❌ Don't Use Base64 For:
- Photos or large images (>10KB)
- Images that need caching separately
- Responsive images (srcset)
- Images you'll update frequently
- SEO-critical images (Google can't index)
How to Use Base64 Images in Code
HTML Image Tag
Replace the src URL with your Base64 data URL. Works exactly like a normal image:
CSS Background Image
Embed in your stylesheet to avoid external file requests:
JavaScript Variable
Store Base64 as a string and use it dynamically:
Validate data with our regex tester.
React Component
Import and use as a regular image source:
Common Questions About Base64 Images
Does Base64 encoding make my image bigger?
Yes, about 33% bigger. A 10KB image becomes ~13KB when Base64 encoded. That's why you should only use it for small images where the benefit (fewer HTTP requests) outweighs the size increase. For large photos, stick with regular JPG/PNG files.
Can I convert Base64 back to an image file?
Yes. Base64 is reversible (it's encoding, not encryption). You can decode the Base64 string back to the original binary image data. Many online tools do this, or you can use JavaScript's atob() function. The MDN atob() docs explain how it works.
Are Base64 images good for SEO?
Not for content images. Google can't index Base64 images for image search, and you can't add alt text in CSS backgrounds. Use regular image files for photos, products, and anything you want showing up in search results. Base64 is fine for decorative elements, icons, and UI graphics.
Will browsers cache Base64 images?
They cache the HTML/CSS file containing the Base64 data, not the image separately. So if you update your logo, users won't see it until their browser re-downloads the whole HTML/CSS file. This is another reason to use Base64 only for images that rarely change.
Which Image Format Should You Convert?
| Format | Best For | Transparency | File Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| PNG | Logos, icons, UI elements | ✅ Yes (alpha channel) | Medium-Large |
| JPG/JPEG | Photos, complex images | ❌ No | Small-Medium |
| SVG | Icons, vector graphics | ✅ Yes | Very Small |
| GIF | Animations, simple graphics | ⚠️ Limited | Small-Medium |
| WebP | Modern browsers, best quality/size | ✅ Yes | Smallest |
Recommendation: Use SVG for icons (smallest Base64), PNG for logos with transparency, JPG for photos (but keep under 10KB). Check WebP browser support before using in production.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this tool completely free?
Yes. No sign-up, no credit card, no limits on conversions. Everything runs in your browser—we never see your images. Use it as much as you want.
Are my images uploaded to your server?
No. The conversion happens entirely in your browser using JavaScript. Your image never leaves your computer. We can't see it, we don't store it. It's completely private.
What's the maximum file size I can convert?
The tool can handle up to 10MB, but we don't recommend converting files that large. Base64 images over 50KB will bloat your HTML/CSS and slow down your page. For anything bigger than a small icon or logo, use regular image files instead.
Can I use Base64 images in all email clients?
Most modern email clients support Base64 images (Gmail, Outlook, Apple Mail). However, some older or security-focused clients might block them. Test your email template across different clients using tools like Litmus or Email on Acid before sending to your full list.
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