ICO to Base64 Converter

What is Base64 encoding?

Base64 is a binary-to-text encoding scheme that represents binary data (like images) in an ASCII string format. This makes it possible to embed binary data directly within text-based files like HTML, CSS, or JSON, where binary data cannot be directly included.

Will the Base64 string be larger than the original ICO file?

Yes, Base64 encoding typically increases the file size by approximately 33% compared to the raw binary data. Since ICO files can contain multiple images and varying compression, the Base64 string of the *extracted* image might be larger or smaller than the original ICO file, but it will always be larger than the raw pixel data it represents.

Where can I use the Base64 icon string?

You can use it in various places:

• In HTML img tags: `` (note: it will be a PNG Data URI, not ICO)
• In CSS `background-image` properties: `background-image: url("data:image/png;base64,...");`
• In JavaScript: Assign the string to a variable for dynamic use.

Does Base64 encoding affect ICO quality?

No, Base64 encoding is a lossless process. It simply converts the binary data of the extracted image into a text representation. The quality of the image itself remains unchanged.

Are my files uploaded to a server?

No, all conversion processes are performed directly in your web browser. Your ICO files are not sent to any external server, ensuring your privacy and security.

Why do some ICO files fail to convert?

ICO files can contain images encoded in various internal formats (e.g., PNG, different BMP variants). While modern ICOs often embed well-supported PNGs, older or non-standard ICOs might contain embedded images that your browser's native image decoder cannot interpret. If you encounter an "Error processing ICO file," it likely means the specific internal image format within that ICO file is not supported by your browser for direct decoding.