What is Base64 Image Encoding? Complete Guide & Converter Tool

Why use Base64 for images? Learn the pros and cons of embedding images as Base64 strings and how to use our free converter tool.

Hello! This is Cheetset.

In web development, you sometimes encounter images represented not as file URLs, but as incredibly long strings of text. This is Base64 Encoding.

Why do we use these strings starting with data:image/png;base64,...? Today, we'll explore the pros, cons, and best practices for Base64 images.

1. What is Base64 Image?

Base64 converts binary data (like images) into a text string using 64 characters (A-Z, a-z, 0-9, +, /).

Simply put, it turns an image file into text so you can embed it directly into HTML or CSS.

2. Why Use It? (Pros)

2-1. Fewer HTTP Requests

Normally, browsers fetch each image from the server. By embedding Base64 images, you reduce the number of requests, speeding up the initial load.

2-2. No Flickering

Images load instantly with the HTML, preventing the "flash of invisible content" or layout shifts.

3. Watch Out (Cons)

It's not a magic bullet. There are downsides:

• Larger Size: Base64 strings are about 33% larger than the original binary file.
• No Caching: Since it's part of the HTML, the browser can't cache the image separately.

4. Convert Instantly

Try our free tools to convert between Images and Base64 strings.

Conclusion

Using Base64 wisely can optimize your site's performance. Happy coding with Cheetset!