JPG to Base64

Use this free JPG to Base64 converter to turn any Joint Photographic Experts Group image into a Base64 string or a ready-made code snippet. Select a local .jpg file (or paste a link to a remote one), pick the output format and press Encode JPG to Base64.

JPG file
Drop your JPG file here or choose one

How to convert JPG to Base64 online

  1. Choose Local file and select a .jpg file, or choose Remote URL and paste a link.
  2. Select the output format: plain Base64, data URI, HTML tag, CSS, JavaScript, JSON or XML.
  3. Click Encode JPG to Base64. The result appears instantly with a preview.
  4. Copy the result to the clipboard or download it as a .txt file.

About JPG (Joint Photographic Experts Group)

JPEG (also written JPG) is the most widely used photo format on the web. It uses lossy compression based on the discrete cosine transform, throwing away detail the human eye barely notices to achieve very small files.

JPEG has no transparency and each re-save loses a little quality. When you convert a JPG to Base64, the encoded text always starts with "/9j/", which is how you can recognise a JPEG hidden inside a data URI.

Developed1992, Joint Photographic Experts Group
CompressionLossy (DCT)
TransparencyNo
AnimationNo
File signatureFF D8 FF

Output formats

Choose how the result should be wrapped. The converter can return:

  • txt: only the Base64 string, ready to paste into code, a database field or an API request.
  • uri: a complete data: URI that you can paste in a browser address bar or use anywhere a URL is accepted.
  • html img: an <img> tag with the data URI in src.
  • css background image: a CSS rule using background-image: url(data:...).
  • html favicon: a <link rel="icon"> tag for an inline favicon.
  • html hyperlink: an <a> link that downloads or opens the embedded file.
  • html iframe: an <iframe> that renders the content inline.
  • javascript image: JavaScript that creates an Image object.
  • javascript popup: JavaScript that opens the content in a new window.
  • json: a JSON object with the file name, MIME type and data.
  • xml: an XML element with the data inside a CDATA section.

Is it safe and how large will the result be?

Your file is never uploaded: it is read and converted locally by your browser using the File API, so even confidential documents stay on your device.

Base64 represents every 3 bytes with 4 characters, so the encoded result is about 33% larger than the original file (plus a few bytes for padding and the data URI prefix).

Frequently asked questions

How do I convert JPG to Base64?

Select your .jpg file above and click "Encode JPG to Base64". The converter reads the file in your browser and outputs the Base64 string or a ready data URI.

What does a Base64-encoded JPG start with?

A JPG file encoded to Base64 typically starts with "/9j/". As a data URI it begins with "data:image/jpeg;base64,".

Is there a file size limit?

There is no hard limit because the conversion runs locally, but very large files produce very long strings. Files up to about 50 MB work comfortably in modern browsers.

How do I convert the Base64 back to JPG?

Use the Base64 to JPG decoder: paste the string, and you can preview and download the original .jpg file.

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