Free Image to Base64 Converter

Convert images to Base64 encoded strings instantly. Get Data URI, HTML, and CSS code snippets.
100% free — runs in your browser.

Click to upload or drag and drop

PNG, JPG, WebP, GIF, SVG (MAX. 5MB)

Your image is processed 100% in your browser. Nothing is uploaded to any server.

A free tool by

How to Convert Images to Base64

Click the upload area and select an image (PNG, JPG, WebP, GIF, or SVG).
Optionally choose a different output format (PNG, JPG, or WebP) or keep the original.
Click "Convert to Base64" to generate the encoded string.
Copy the Data URI, raw Base64, HTML, or CSS snippet you need.

What Is Base64 Encoding?

Base64 is a binary-to-text encoding scheme that represents binary data using a set of 64 printable ASCII characters (A-Z, a-z, 0-9, +, /). It allows you to embed binary files such as images directly inside text-based formats like HTML, CSS, JSON, and XML.

When you Base64-encode an image, the resulting string is approximately 33% larger than the original file. This trade-off is usually worthwhile for small assets because it eliminates the need for a separate HTTP request to fetch the image.

A Base64-encoded image wrapped in a Data URI looks like this: data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgo...

When to Use Base64 Images

Embed small images in HTML/CSS: Inline tiny icons, logos, or decorative elements directly in your markup to save HTTP requests and speed up page rendering.
Email templates: Many email clients block external images by default. Base64-encoded inline images display immediately without requiring the recipient to allow remote content.
Data URIs in JavaScript/JSON: Store image data as strings in configuration files, API responses, or local storage without needing a file server.
Small icons in stylesheets: Embed SVG or tiny PNG icons directly in your CSS to avoid extra network requests when loading a page.
Environments without file hosting: When you cannot host static files externally (e.g., some CMS platforms, sandboxed environments, or single-file HTML documents), Base64 lets you include images inline.

When NOT to Use Base64 Images

Large images (over ~20 KB original): The 33% size overhead adds up quickly. A 100 KB image becomes ~133 KB of text, bloating your HTML or CSS file and slowing down the initial page parse.
Images that benefit from browser caching: An external image file can be cached separately by the browser and reused across pages. A Base64 string embedded in HTML must be re-downloaded with every page load.
Frequently changing images: If the image updates often, serving it as a file with proper cache headers is far more efficient than re-encoding and re-embedding it every time.
Performance-critical pages: Embedding many Base64 images increases the document size, which delays parsing and rendering. Use external files with lazy loading instead.

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Image to Base64 Converter FAQs

Common questions about converting images to Base64

Is this Base64 converter free?

Yes, completely free with no limits. Your images are processed entirely in your browser — nothing is uploaded to any server. You can convert as many images as you want.

What is a Data URI?

A Data URI is a string that embeds file content directly inside a document using the format data:[mediatype];base64,[data]. For images, it looks like data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgo... and can be used directly as an img src or CSS background-image value.

How much larger is a Base64 string compared to the original file?

Base64 encoding increases the data size by approximately 33%. A 10 KB image becomes roughly 13.3 KB when encoded. This is because Base64 uses 4 characters to represent every 3 bytes of binary data.

Which image formats are supported?

This tool supports PNG, JPG/JPEG, WebP, GIF, and SVG. You can also re-encode images to a different format (PNG, JPG, or WebP) before generating the Base64 output.

Are my images uploaded to a server?

No. All processing happens 100% in your browser using the FileReader and Canvas APIs. Your images never leave your device, making this completely private and secure.

Can I use Base64 images in email templates?

Yes. Base64-encoded images are commonly used in HTML email templates because many email clients block externally hosted images by default. Inline Base64 images display immediately without requiring the recipient to allow remote content.

Is there a file size limit?

This tool accepts images up to 5 MB. However, for practical use, Base64 encoding is most beneficial for small images (under 20 KB). Larger images should generally be served as external files to avoid bloating your HTML or CSS.

Can I convert SVG files to Base64?

Yes. SVG files are fully supported. When you keep the original format, the tool reads the SVG file and encodes it directly. You can also re-encode the SVG as a rasterized PNG, JPG, or WebP by selecting a different output format.

What is the difference between Data URI and raw Base64?

The raw Base64 string is just the encoded binary data (e.g., iVBORw0KGgo...). A Data URI wraps that string with metadata: data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgo... — this full prefix is what browsers need to interpret the data as an image.

Will Base64 images hurt my website performance?

For small images (icons, logos under 10-20 KB), Base64 can actually improve performance by reducing HTTP requests. For larger images, it is better to serve them as external files so browsers can cache them independently and your HTML stays lightweight.

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