Base64 ↔ Image
Convert Base64 strings to images, or upload images to get their Base64 representation. Everything runs in your browser.
📖 How to Use
To decode: paste a Base64 string and the image preview appears instantly — download it in any format. To encode: upload an image and copy the Base64 string for use in HTML, CSS, or APIs.
What is Base64 Encoding?
Base64 is a method of encoding binary data (like images) as plain ASCII text. It converts every 3 bytes of binary data into 4 printable characters, making it safe to embed in HTML, CSS, JSON, XML, and email.
When you see a long string starting with data:image/png;base64,iVBOR... in source code, that's a Base64-encoded image. The browser decodes it back into the original image on the fly.
The trade-off is size — Base64 encoding increases the data size by about 33%. A 100KB image becomes roughly 133KB as Base64 text. For small icons and logos, the benefit of eliminating an HTTP request often outweighs the size increase.
Common Use Cases
Embedding in HTML/CSS
Small icons and logos can be embedded directly in HTML or CSS, eliminating extra HTTP requests and improving page load speed.
API Payloads
Many REST APIs accept images as Base64 strings in JSON payloads, avoiding multipart form uploads and simplifying integration.
Email Templates
Embed images directly in HTML email templates so they display without requiring external hosting or image loading permissions.
Debugging
When you encounter a Base64 string in logs, API responses, or source code, paste it here to instantly see what image it represents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Base64 encoding change image quality?
No. Base64 is a lossless encoding — the decoded image is bit-for-bit identical to the original. It's just a different way of representing the same binary data as text.
Should I use Base64 for all images on my website?
No. Base64 is best for small images (under 10KB) like icons and tiny logos. For larger images, regular files with proper caching are more efficient since Base64 increases size by ~33% and can't be cached separately.
Is my data private?
Yes. All encoding and decoding happens in your browser. No images or Base64 strings are sent to any server.