Free · No upload · Runs in your browser

TIFF to Base64 Converter

Q: What does a TIFF Base64 string look like?

A TIFF data URI starts with data:image/tiff;base64, followed by the encoded body, which typically begins with SUkq — the Base64 form of the II*\* (little-endian) TIFF file header. Files from some cameras use MM\*0 (big-endian) instead, which begins with TUxAK in Base64.

Q: Can browsers display a Base64 TIFF inline?

Only some. Safari renders TIFF images natively; Chrome, Firefox and Edge currently do not. The Base64 string itself is always complete and correct — but if you inline it into a web page, visitors on Chrome or Firefox will see a broken image. Convert the TIFF to PNG or JPG first if the data URI is meant for a website.

Q: Should I encode a TIFF as Base64?

Usually only for machine-to-machine uses — API payloads, JSON fixtures, or embedding a scan into a document format that expects text. TIFF files are often large (lossless, print-resolution), and Base64 adds about 33% on top, so inlining a TIFF into HTML or CSS is rarely a good idea.

Q: Is the TIFF to Base64 conversion private?

Yes. Everything happens in your browser with the FileReader API. The TIFF is never uploaded to any server.

Also covers .tif — same format, one page.

Drop in a TIFF / TIF file and instantly get its Base64 string and data URI — ready to paste into JSON, an API payload, or a document template. One click to copy.

100% client-side. Your scan or photo never leaves your device.

Drop a TIFF here

or paste from clipboard · .tif and .tiff both work

TIFF to Base64, explained

TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) is the workhorse format of scanners, print shops and photo archives — lossless, often LZW-compressed, and frequently huge. Encoding it to Base64 turns the binary file into a plain-text string you can ship inside JSON, feed to an API, or embed in a document template that only accepts text.

How to use it

{
  "scan": "data:image/tiff;base64,SUkqAAwAAAAA..."
}

Mind the 33% — and the browser caveat

Base64 inflates data by about 33%, and TIFFs are rarely small to begin with: a single 600 dpi A4 scan easily passes 10 MB, which becomes ~13.9 MB of text. If the destination is a web page, also note that Chrome, Firefox and Edge cannot render TIFF images at all — only Safari can. For web use, convert to PNG or JPG first, then encode. Reserve TIFF Base64 for APIs, fixtures and document pipelines.

Private by design

The conversion runs locally with your browser's FileReader API — no upload, no server. Scans and medical or legal documents stay on your machine. Check your Network tab and you'll see the file never goes anywhere.

More Base64 converters

Image to Base64Any format — PNG, JPG, GIF, WebP, SVG. Convert in codeJavaScript, Python, PHP, Java, Linux & n8n snippets. Data URI GeneratorTurn any image into a data URI for CSS or HTML. PNG to Base64Encode PNGs, transparency kept. JPG to Base64Encode JPEG photos for web use. SVG to Base64Encode vector SVGs for CSS. WebP to Base64Encode modern WebP images. GIF to Base64Encode GIF animations into a data URI. Base64 to ImageDecode a string back into a file. Base64 to PNGDecode and save as PNG. Base64 to JPGDecode and save as JPEG. Base64 to SVGDecode vector SVG markup. Base64 to WebPDecode and save as WebP. Base64 to GIFDecode and save as a GIF.

Frequently asked questions

What does a TIFF Base64 string look like?

A TIFF data URI starts with data:image/tiff;base64, and the body typically begins with SUkq — the Base64 form of the little-endian II*\0 TIFF header. Big-endian files (MM\0*) start with TUxAK instead.

Can browsers display a Base64 TIFF inline?

Only Safari renders TIFF natively; Chrome, Firefox and Edge do not. The Base64 string is always complete and correct — but for web pages, convert the TIFF to PNG or JPG first.

Should I encode a TIFF as Base64?

Usually only for APIs, JSON fixtures and document pipelines. TIFF files are often large and Base64 adds ~33%, so inlining a TIFF into HTML or CSS is rarely a good idea.

Is the conversion private?

Yes. Everything runs in your browser with the FileReader API. The TIFF is never uploaded to any server.