Image to Base64 Converter
Turn any PNG, JPG, GIF, WebP or SVG file into a Base64 data URI string you can paste straight into HTML, CSS, JSON or Markdown. Embedding images this way removes one HTTP request, which is great for tiny icons, email templates, or assets bundled with self-contained pages. The conversion runs entirely in your browser.
What Is a Base64 Data URI?
A data URI embeds a file's contents directly into HTML or CSS as a text string instead of referencing an external file. It looks like this: data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgo…. The browser reads the string and renders the image without making an additional HTTP request to fetch the file.
When Should You Embed Images as Base64?
Base64 embedding is best for small, frequently used assets where eliminating the HTTP request saves more time than the overhead of encoding. Use it for:
- SVG icons and logos inline in HTML or CSS.
- Tiny decorative images (gradients, patterns, spinners).
- Email templates where external image hosting is unreliable.
- Offline / single-file HTML pages where every asset must be self-contained.
- Canvas-based apps where you need an image as a data URL to draw onto a canvas element.
When NOT to Use Base64 Embedding
Avoid embedding large images. A 500 KB JPEG becomes ~667 KB as Base64 — and unlike an external file, it cannot be cached separately. Every page load re-sends that data. For large hero images and product photos, use a standard <img> tag with a proper CDN or compressed file instead.
| Image Size | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Under 5 KB (icons, favicons) | Safe to embed as Base64 |
| 5 – 20 KB (small graphics) | Consider case-by-case |
| Over 20 KB (photos, illustrations) | Use external file + CDN |
Using the Output Snippets
After converting, the tool shows three ready-to-use code snippets: an <img> tag, a CSS background-image declaration, and the raw data URI. Paste them directly into your HTML, CSS file, or inline style attribute. The image renders identically to a normal image file in all modern browsers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a data URI?
A data URI embeds file bytes directly in HTML or CSS as a text string. It looks like data:image/png;base64,iVBOR… — the browser renders the image without a separate HTTP request.
When should I embed images as Base64?
For small icons, SVGs and decorative images under ~5 KB. Avoid embedding large photos — they bloat HTML/CSS and cannot be cached separately by the browser.
Which formats are supported?
PNG, JPG, GIF, WebP and SVG are all supported. Drop any of these formats and get an instant data URI with HTML and CSS snippets.
Are my images uploaded to a server?
No. The conversion uses the browser's FileReader API — your image bytes never leave your device.