# Image to Base64

> Free image to base64 converter. Encode any image as a base64 data URI for embedding in CSS or HTML, or paste a data URI to preview and download it. All in your browser.

Turn images into base64 data URIs and back. Free, no sign-up, files never leave your device.

*Interactive tool: enter your values at https://toollantern.win/image-to-base64/ and results update instantly in your browser.*

## What it does

Upload an image to get its base64 data URI, a long text string you can paste directly into CSS (as a background) or an HTML img src, no separate image file needed. Paste a data URI in the second section to preview it and download it back as an image.

## When to use it

Small icons and decorative images you want baked into a stylesheet, single-file HTML emails, or quick prototypes where you do not want to manage asset files.

## Private by design

Encoding and decoding happen locally with the FileReader API. Nothing is uploaded.

## Frequently asked questions
### What is a data URI?

A URL like data:image/png;base64,... that contains the image data itself, so the browser needs no separate file.

### Does base64 make files bigger?

Yes, roughly 33 percent larger than the original binary. Best for small images, not large photos.

### Are my images uploaded anywhere?

No. Everything happens in your browser.

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Interactive version: https://toollantern.win/image-to-base64/