Image to Base64 is a free online tool that encodes JPG, PNG, WebP, GIF or SVG images into base64 strings in your browser. Copy a raw base64 string, a ready data URI, a CSS background snippet or an HTML img tag, with a live preview and byte-size readout. No signup, no watermark, unlimited.
Drop an image here or click to browse
JPG, PNG, WebP, GIF, SVG - encoded locally, never uploaded
How do I convert an image to base64?
Upload your image to the encoder above and it is converted instantly. Choose your output style: raw base64, a data URI, a CSS background-image snippet or an HTML img tag. Click Copy to grab the result, or check the preview to confirm it renders. Large images make very long strings, so use small icons and logos where possible.
The data URI format looks like data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0... and can be pasted anywhere a URL would go: an img src, a CSS background-image, or even a browser address bar. The CSS option above wraps it in a ready-to-use class rule for you.
What is a base64 data URI used for?
A base64 data URI lets you embed an image directly inside HTML or CSS instead of linking to a separate file. That removes extra HTTP requests, which helps tiny icons and email templates load in one go. Because the string is about 33 percent larger than the binary file, it is best for images under a few hundred kilobytes.
Email signatures and HTML newsletters are classic use cases, since many email clients block external images but render embedded ones. Developers also use data URIs for small UI icons, placeholder graphics and offline-first web apps.
How do I use base64 in CSS?
Select the CSS background option above, name your class, and copy the snippet. It produces a rule with a background-image set to the full data URI. Paste it into your stylesheet and the image renders without any separate file. Keep the image small, since long strings make stylesheets harder to edit.
For production stylesheets, consider whether the image belongs in your CSS at all. Background data URIs cannot be cached separately from the stylesheet, so they suit tiny decorative graphics rather than large photography.
Frequently asked questions
Is this image to base64 converter really free and unlimited?
Yes. No signup, no watermark, no daily caps. Encoding happens locally in your browser with the FileReader API, so there is no server cost to limit you.
Are my images uploaded to a server?
No. The file is read and encoded entirely on your device. It never leaves your browser, so it cannot be stored or seen by anyone else.
Why is the base64 string so long?
Base64 encoding adds about 33 percent overhead compared to the binary file, and the data URI prefix adds a little more. Base64 is best for small icons, logos and images under a few hundred kilobytes rather than large photos.
Which image types can I encode?
JPG, PNG, WebP, GIF and SVG files all work. Any image format your browser can read can be converted to a base64 data URI.
Is base64 smaller than the original image?
No, it is roughly a third larger. Base64 is about embedding convenience, not compression. For the shortest strings, compress or convert the image to WebP first, then encode it.
Can I turn a base64 string back into an image?
Yes. Paste a full data URI into your browser address bar and the image renders. You can also save the string as an .html file wrapped in an img tag.