Image to Base64 Converter
Convert images into Base64 encoded strings online. Useful for developers working with APIs, HTML, or data embedding.
Image → Base64 Converter
This tool is included in our ➜ Image Convertor Tools collection.
How to Convert Images to Base64 — Fast, Secure & Client-side
Use our free Image to Base64 Converter to quickly convert JPG, PNG, WebP or GIF files into a Base64 data URL. This method is ideal for embedding small images directly into HTML, CSS, JSON, or email templates without uploading them to a server.
What is Base64 and Why Use It?
Base64 is a text encoding that converts binary data (like images) into plain ASCII text. A Base64-encoded image is usually prefixed with a data URL such as:
data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgA...
Use cases:
- Embed small icons or logos directly into your HTML or CSS (
background-image). - Send images inside JSON payloads or API requests without multipart forms.
- Embed images in email templates where external hosting is restricted.
Examples: How to Use a Base64 Image
1. Inline in HTML
Paste the data URL into an <img> tag:
<img src="data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUg..." alt="My Image">
2. Use as CSS background
.logo { background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy..."); width:120px; height:40px; }
Benefits & Limitations
- No external file hosting — everything is self-contained.
- Fast inlined resources for very small images or icons.
- Privacy — conversions happen in the browser (client-side) with no upload.
- Base64 increases file size by ~33% — avoid for large photos.
- Not a substitute for proper CDN-hosted images for performance at scale.
- Some email clients and tools may limit the size of embedded data URLs.
Best Practices
- Use Base64 for small icons (SVG, PNG) and inline assets under ~5KB for faster load times.
- For multiple icons, consider CSS sprites or modern webfont icons (SVG fonts) instead of many Base64 strings.
- Compress or optimize images before converting to Base64 to reduce bloat.
- When embedding in emails, test across common email clients (Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo).
How the Converter Works (Client-side)
Our tool converts images to Base64 fully in your browser using the FileReader API. That means:
- No images are uploaded to any server.
- Conversion is instant for small to medium images.
- You can copy, download, or paste the generated Base64 data URL immediately.
Common Questions
- Is Base64 secure?
- Base64 itself is not encryption — it only encodes binary to text. The converter is secure because conversion happens locally in your browser.
- Will Base64 replace normal image hosting?
- No. For large images and high-traffic sites, using proper image hosting/CDN is still best for performance and caching.