Image to Base64 Converter
Encode images for inline embedding in CSS and HTML
Input (Text or File)
0 charactersDrop file or click to browse
Max size: 10MB • Any file type supported
Output (Base64)
0 charactersSecure
All processing happens in your browser. No data is sent to servers.
Fast
Live preview with instant encoding and decoding as you type.
Files
Support for images, PDFs, and documents up to 10MB.
What is Image to Base64?
Base64 encoding transforms binary image data into ASCII text, allowing you to embed images directly in CSS and HTML files. Instead of linking to external files, the image becomes part of your code—reducing HTTP requests and simplifying deployment.
The encoded string uses the data URI scheme: data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAA... This string replaces file URLs wherever images are referenced: background-image, img src, or any image property.
Why Encode Image?
Embedding small images eliminates HTTP requests, improving performance for tiny icons and UI elements. Each external request adds latency—DNS lookup, connection, transfer. For small images, this overhead often exceeds the file size itself.
Deployment also simplifies. No separate image directories to manage. No broken paths when moving files. The image travels with your CSS, guaranteed to exist wherever your styles load.
How It Works
Base64 converts every three bytes of binary data into four ASCII characters using 64 printable characters (A-Z, a-z, 0-9, +, /). The process inflates file size by about 33%, but HTTP compression (gzip) partially recovers this.
For CSS embedding, wrap the result in url():
background-image: url('data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgo...');
Our tool automatically detects image format and generates the complete data URI ready for use.
Common Use Cases
- Small icons and UI elements (under 10KB)
- CSS-only components without external assets
- Email HTML templates (images often block)
- Single-file documentation or demos
Pro Tip
Only base64-encode images under 10KB. Larger images should remain external files—the 33% size increase and no caching make base64 inefficient for large assets.
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