Image to Base64
Turn one image into a copy-ready Data URI, HTML tag, CSS rule, or raw Base64 — with editable labels for your code.
- Fewer clicks, keyboard friendly
- Features others lock behind paywalls
Drop an image here, click to choose, or paste
One image at a time · JPG, PNG, WebP, GIF, SVG and more · up to 25 MB
The image is read and encoded in this browser. Nothing is uploaded.
How to use
- Drop an image, choose one from your device, or paste a screenshot with Ctrl/⌘ + V.
- Choose Data URI, Base64, HTML, or CSS under Copy format.
- For HTML, write useful alt text; for CSS, set the class name you want in your stylesheet.
- Check the original and encoded sizes, then use Copy code to put the exact result on your clipboard.
What each output includes
Raw Base64 contains only the encoded file bytes and is useful when an API takes a separate MIME type. A Data URI adds the media type and the `data:image/...;base64,` prefix, so it can go directly in an image `src` value. The HTML option produces an `<img>` element with your editable alt text. The CSS option produces a class selector and `background-image` declaration, so you can paste it into a stylesheet without replacing placeholder names afterward.
Why the encoded value is larger
Base64 maps every complete group of 3 input bytes to 4 text characters. Its length is therefore `4 × ceil(bytes ÷ 3)`, plus the short Data URI or snippet wrapper when you choose one. That is usually about 33% more than the original image bytes. The tool shows the actual encoded size and character count for the selected file instead of estimating from its pixels.
When to use a Data URI
RFC 2397 defines the `data:[media type];base64,...` URL form for embedding small data items directly where a URL is expected. It is practical for a small icon, a self-contained HTML demo, or an API payload. Avoid inlining a large photo in a webpage or stylesheet: the extra Base64 bytes make that document larger, and the image cannot be cached as a separate resource. This converter only reads the original bytes; it does not resize, recompress, or remove metadata.
Frequently asked questions
Does this upload my image?
No. The selected image is read with your browser’s FileReader API and converted on your device; no image bytes are sent to a Betterbit server.
What is the difference between Base64 and a Data URI?
Raw Base64 is only the encoded bytes, while a Data URI adds a prefix such as `data:image/png;base64,` so a browser can use the value directly as an image URL.
Why is a Base64 image about 33% larger?
Base64 represents every 3 original bytes with 4 ASCII characters, so the encoded data is typically one third larger before the Data URI, HTML, or CSS wrapper is added.
Does converting an image to Base64 change its quality?
No. Base64 is a reversible representation of the same file bytes, so this tool does not resize, recompress, or change pixels, metadata, animation, or transparency.
What should I put in the HTML alt text?
Use a short description of the image’s purpose or content, such as “Blue Betterbit logo”; leave it empty only when the image is purely decorative and your surrounding HTML handles that deliberately.
Can I encode a 25 MB image?
Yes. This page accepts one image up to 25 MB, which becomes roughly 33.3 MB of Base64 before the selected Data URI, HTML, or CSS wrapper is added; larger images can make a browser slow or memory-hungry.
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Updated 2026-10-28