Image to Base64 Converter - Free Online Tool

An image to Base64 converter encodes an image file into a Base64 string. You can use the output as a raw Base64 value or as a full data URL (data:image/...;base64,...) for HTML, CSS, and API payloads. Encoding runs locally in your browser, so your image is not uploaded for processing.

1. Upload an image: Choose an image file from your device.
2. Choose output format: Pick Data URL (recommended for web) or Raw Base64 only.
3. Copy the result: Copy the encoded string for your HTML, CSS, or API request.

• Embed images quickly: Drop a data URL into HTML or CSS without hosting the file.
• Debug API payloads: Confirm exactly what image data is being sent or stored.
• Private encoding: Conversion happens on your device in the browser.

Both outputs contain the same underlying data, but they are used in different places:

• Data URL: Includes the MIME type and the data: prefix, so it works directly in HTML and CSS.
• Raw Base64: Only the Base64 characters. This is common in APIs that expect you to send the MIME type separately.

If you are embedding in CSS, you want a data URL:

.avatar {
  background-image: url("data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAA...");
}

Use case 1: Inline small icons in HTML

Convert a small PNG icon to a data URL and use it directly in an <img> tag during prototyping.

Use case 2: Send image data to an API

Some APIs accept Base64 strings in JSON. Encode the image once, then paste the value into your request body.

Use case 3: Reproduce bugs with exact inputs

When a bug depends on specific image bytes, Base64 is a clean way to share the exact input without file transfer.

Basic example (data URL)

Input: logo.png
Output (truncated):

data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAA...

Advanced example (raw Base64 and HTML usage)

Input: avatar.jpg
Settings: Output format: Raw Base64 only
Output (truncated):

/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAkGBxISEhU...

To use it in HTML, you usually need the full data URL prefix:

<img src="data:image/jpeg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD..." alt="Avatar" />

Base64 is convenient, but it is not always the right choice:

• Large images: Base64 adds size overhead and can make pages and payloads slower.
• Production websites: Serving images as files (and caching them) is usually faster than embedding big data URLs.
• Email and docs: Some clients have limits on large embedded strings and may clip content.

If you only need a smaller file, convert or resize the image first with the image resizer & compressor.

The output is huge

Base64 expands data size by roughly 33%. For large photos, prefer uploading the file normally or compressing it first. Use the image resizer & compressor to reduce size before encoding.

Missing data URL prefix

Raw Base64 is not the same as a data URL. If a browser or CSS rule expects a data URL, choose the Data URL output option or manually prefix the string.

Wrong MIME type

If an image has an unusual or missing file type, the generated data URL may use a generic MIME type. If you need a specific MIME type, export the image to a known format first (PNG, JPG, or WebP) and encode again.

• Encode the smallest file you can: Convert images to WebP or resize before Base64 to keep payloads manageable.
• Do not treat Base64 as security: Base64 is encoding, not encryption. Do not paste secrets into public places.
• Use for small assets: Data URLs are best for small icons and placeholders. Large Base64 strings slow down pages and inflate JSON payloads.

• Decode back to a file with the Base64 to image converter.
• Convert Base64 strings with the Base64 encoder/decoder.
• Optimize images before encoding with the image resizer & compressor or PNG to WebP.

Image to Base64 encoding runs locally in your browser. Your image is not uploaded to a server for processing. If the image is sensitive, clear the output after copying.