Free Online Image to Base64 Converter

Getting Started

Using the Image to Base64 Converter is simple and efficient:

Image to Base64

1. Upload Image: Click to upload or drag and drop an image file
2. Auto Convert: The tool automatically converts to Base64
3. View Preview: See the image preview and Base64 string
4. Copy Result: Copy Base64 string or data URI with one click

Base64 to Image

1. Paste Base64: Paste Base64 string or data URI
2. Auto Decode: The tool automatically decodes to image
3. View Image: See the decoded image preview
4. Download: Download the image to your device

Key Features

• Bidirectional Conversion: Convert image to Base64 and Base64 to image
• Multiple Formats: Support PNG, JPEG, GIF, WebP, SVG, and more
• Data URI Generation: Automatic data URI format with MIME type
• Image Preview: Real-time preview of uploaded or decoded images
• Drag & Drop: Easy file upload with drag and drop support
• Copy Functions: Copy Base64 string or complete data URI
• Download Image: Save decoded images to your device
• No Size Limit: Handle images of any size (browser dependent)

Common Use Cases

Web Development

• CSS Background Images: Embed small images directly in CSS
• Inline Images: Use data URIs in HTML img tags
• Reduce HTTP Requests: Eliminate separate image file requests
• Icon Embedding: Include small icons in stylesheets

Email Templates

• HTML Emails: Embed images in email templates
• Newsletter Design: Include graphics without external hosting
• Signature Images: Add logos to email signatures
• Tracking Pixels: Create inline tracking images

API Development

• JSON Responses: Include image data in API responses
• Image Upload: Send images as Base64 in POST requests
• Data Storage: Store images in databases as text
• Mobile Apps: Transfer images between app and server

Performance Optimization

• Small Images: Inline small images to reduce requests
• Critical CSS: Include above-the-fold images in CSS
• Lazy Loading: Use Base64 placeholders while loading
• Offline Support: Embed images for offline functionality

Understanding Data URIs

Data URI Format

A data URI follows this structure:

data:[MIME-type];base64,[Base64-encoded-data]

• data: - URI scheme identifier
• MIME-type - Image format (image/png, image/jpeg, etc.)
• ;base64 - Encoding type indicator
• Base64 data - The encoded image data

Example Data URI

data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAUA...

Best Practices

• Use Base64 images only for small files (< 10KB recommended)
• Large Base64 images increase HTML/CSS file size significantly
• Base64 encoding increases data size by approximately 33%
• Consider using regular image files for large images
• Use Base64 for images that rarely change
• Test performance impact before using in production
• Compress images before converting to Base64

When to Use Base64 Images

Good Use Cases

• Small icons and logos (< 5KB)
• Email templates where external images may be blocked
• Single-page applications with few images
• Images that must work offline
• Reducing HTTP requests for critical resources

Avoid Base64 For

• Large images (> 50KB)
• Images that change frequently
• Photos and complex graphics
• Images used multiple times on different pages
• When browser caching is important

Tips & Tricks

• Compress images before converting to reduce Base64 size
• Use WebP format for better compression
• Test Base64 images in target email clients
• Consider SVG for simple graphics (smaller than Base64)
• Use CSS sprites for multiple small images instead
• Monitor page load time impact when using Base64