Image to Base64 Converter
Convert any image to a Base64 data URL instantly. Drop your image below — no upload, no server, fully private.
Drop an image here or click to browse
PNG, JPG, GIF, SVG, WebP supported
What is Base64 Image Encoding?
Base64 encoding converts binary image data into a text string that can be safely embedded in HTML, CSS, JSON, or XML. Instead of referencing an external image file, you can inline the entire image as a data URL:
<img src="data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgo..." />
Common Use Cases
- HTML emails: Inline images to avoid blocked external image requests
- CSS backgrounds: Embed small icons without extra HTTP requests
- API payloads: Pass images in JSON without separate file uploads
- Offline-capable apps: Bundle images inside HTML for single-file distribution
- SVG sprites: Encode SVGs for use in CSS or data attributes
Supported Image Formats
- PNG — lossless, best for graphics with transparency
- JPG/JPEG — compressed, best for photos
- GIF — supports animation
- SVG — vector, scalable
- WebP — modern format, best compression
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Base64 image?
A Base64 image is an image encoded as a Base64 string — a text representation of the image's binary data. This lets you embed images directly in HTML, CSS, or JSON without hosting them as separate files. The format is: data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgo...
When should I use Base64 images?
Base64 images are useful for: embedding small icons or logos in CSS (background-image), inlining images in HTML emails to avoid blocked external images, encoding images in JSON API responses, and reducing HTTP requests for small images. For large images, external files are more efficient as Base64 is ~33% larger than binary.
Is my image safe? Is it uploaded anywhere?
No. Your image is processed entirely in your browser using the FileReader API. It is never uploaded to any server, stored, or logged. The conversion happens locally on your device.
What is the difference between 'data URL' and 'Base64 only'?
A data URL is the complete string including the MIME type prefix: data:image/png;base64,ABC... This is what you use directly in HTML src attributes or CSS. 'Base64 only' is just the encoded data portion (ABC...) without the prefix — use this when the recipient expects raw Base64.
Why is the Base64 output larger than the original image?
Base64 encoding increases file size by approximately 33% because it encodes every 3 bytes of binary data as 4 ASCII characters. This is the trade-off for making binary data text-safe. For large images, this overhead makes Base64 less suitable than serving the image as a file.