What is Base64 Encoding?
**Base64** is a method of converting binary data (like an image file) into a text string composed of ASCII characters (A-Z, a-z, 0-9, +, /). This allows you to treat an image essentially as "text."
In web development, this is often called a **Data URI**. Instead of pointing to an external file (e.g., `
`), you can embed the image data directly into the code (e.g., ``).
Why Use Base64 Images?
- Reduce HTTP Requests: Every image on a webpage requires a separate request to the server. By embedding small icons or logos as Base64, you eliminate these requests, potentially speeding up initial page load times.
- Portability: You can store an image inside a single HTML file, JSON response, or CSS file without needing a separate folder for assets. This is great for email templates or standalone offline web pages.
- Database Storage: Sometimes it's easier to store a user's avatar as a string in a NoSQL database rather than managing a file system.
When NOT to Use It
While powerful, Base64 encoding increases the file size by approximately **33%**. For example, a 100KB image becomes a ~133KB text string. Therefore:
- Do not use it for large photos or hero images.
- Best Use Case: Small icons, logos, patterns, or tiny UI elements under 10KB.
How to Use the Generated Code
Our tool provides three output formats:
1. HTML Image Tag
Use this to display the image directly in your HTML content.
<img src="data:image/png;base64,..." alt="My Image" />
2. CSS Background
Use this to set the image as a background in your stylesheet.
.my-element { background-image: url('data:image/png;base64,...'); }
3. Raw Base64
Use this raw string for JSON APIs, XML, or backend processing.