Skip to content

Image to Base64 - Encode Images as Data URLs

About the Image to Base64 Converter

Sometimes you need an image embedded directly in your code rather than linked as a separate file. This tool reads your image with the browser's FileReader API and outputs a complete Base64 data URL that you can paste into an HTML <img> tag, a CSS background-image rule, or an email template. It also displays useful file information including the original file name, MIME type, dimensions, and both the original and encoded sizes.

The conversion is instant and entirely local. Your image is read from disk by the browser and never transmitted anywhere.

How to Use the Image to Base64 Converter

Drop an image onto the upload area or click to select a file. The tool immediately generates the Base64 data URL and displays it along with file statistics. Copy the data URL string, the ready-to-use HTML <img> tag, or the CSS url() snippet with a single click. Use the output wherever you need an inline image.

Features

  • Instant encoding. The Base64 output appears as soon as you upload the image, with no waiting.
  • Copy-ready snippets. Get the raw data URL, an HTML img tag, or a CSS background-image rule ready to paste.
  • File information. View the file name, MIME type, original dimensions, original size, and encoded size at a glance.
  • Any image format. Works with JPEG, PNG, WebP, GIF, SVG, and any other format your browser supports.
  • Fully private. Uses the FileReader API locally. No data is sent over the network.

Related Tools

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Base64 encoding for images?
Base64 encoding converts the binary data of an image file into a string of ASCII characters. The result is a data URL that looks like data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgo... and can be used anywhere a normal image URL would go. The browser decodes the string back into image data when it renders the page.
When should I use Base64 images instead of regular image files?
Base64 images are useful when you want to embed small images directly in HTML, CSS, or JSON without a separate HTTP request. Common cases include inline icons in CSS background-image rules, small logos in HTML email templates (where linked images are often blocked by default), and data URIs in single-file HTML exports. For larger images, regular files are usually better because Base64 increases the data size by roughly 33%.
How much larger is a Base64-encoded image compared to the original file?
Base64 encoding increases the data size by approximately 33%. A 30 KB image becomes roughly 40 KB of Base64 text. This overhead is why Base64 embedding is best suited to small images like icons and thumbnails rather than large photographs.
Is my image uploaded to a server?
No. The conversion uses the browser's FileReader API to read the file locally and encode it as a Base64 string. Your image never leaves your device. The entire process happens client-side with no network requests.