Understanding Base64 Image Encoding
Base64 is an encoding method that converts binary data (like images) into ASCII text. This allows images to be embedded directly in HTML, CSS, or JSON without requiring separate files or HTTP requests.
Pros and Cons of Base64 Images
Advantages: Reduced HTTP requests, self-contained files, easier distribution of single-file documents, and no external hosting required for small images.
Disadvantages: Base64 encoding increases file size by approximately 33%. Large images encoded as Base64 can slow page loading. Base64 images aren't cached separately by browsers.
Best Practices
Use Base64 for small images (icons, logos under 10KB) and critical above-the-fold graphics. For larger images, traditional hosting with proper caching is usually more efficient.