Frequently Asked Questions
Clear answers about Base64, data URIs, privacy, performance and how to use our tools effectively.
What is Base64 and when should I use it?
Base64 is a text encoding scheme for representing binary data (images, PDFs, any file) as ASCII characters. It is useful when you need to embed or transmit binary data over systems that only support text, such as JSON, HTML/CSS data URIs, or email protocols.
Is EditToBase64 private? Are my files uploaded?
All processing happens entirely in your browser. Files never leave your device and are not uploaded to a server. This provides maximum privacy for sensitive documents and images.
Does Base64 reduce file size?
No. Base64 typically increases size by ~33% because it converts 3 bytes of binary into 4 bytes of text. Use image compression or resizing before encoding if you need smaller payloads.
When is Base64 better than external file links?
For small assets (icons, tiny images, inline fonts) Base64 can reduce HTTP requests and improve perceived performance. For large assets, external files with caching are typically better.
How do I decode a Base64 string back to a file?
Use the “Base64 to File” tab. Paste your Base64 string (optionally including the data URI prefix), and download the decoded file. Images show a preview when possible.
What is a data URI and do I need it?
A data URI looks like data:image/png;base64,<data>. It tells browsers the MIME type and that the data is Base64. For HTML/CSS embedding you usually want the full data URI; for APIs you may only need the raw Base64.
Can I validate a Base64 string?
Yes. Use the Base64 Validator tool. It checks format, estimates decoded size, detects common MIME types and shows an image preview when applicable.
How can I make Base64 URL-safe?
Use the URL-Safe Base64 tool. It replaces + and / with - and _ and removes padding =, which is common in JWTs and certain web contexts.
Does EditToBase64 store any analytics data?
We use privacy-friendly analytics to understand usage patterns. No personal files or content are ever transmitted. See the Privacy Policy for details.
Do you support PDFs and large files?
Yes. The PDF tool handles PDF files client-side. Extremely large files may be limited by your device memory and browser constraints.