Image Steganography
Hide text, files, and images inside PNG images. AES-256 encryption, X-Ray mode, pixel Morse code, and more. 100% browser-based, your data never leaves your device.
Upload Carrier Image
PNG works best. JPEG will be converted to PNG (lossy compression may affect data).
Drop an image here or click to upload
Supports PNG, JPG, WebP, BMP
Upload Image with Hidden Data
Upload a PNG image that was processed with this tool.
Drop an image here or click to upload
Supports PNG, JPG, WebP, BMP
Upload Image to Inspect
X-Ray mode reveals the LSB (least significant bit) plane of the image. Images with hidden data will show patterns; clean images show noise.
Drop an image here or click to upload
Supports PNG, JPG, WebP, BMP
๐ฎ Try It Now โ Demo Gallery
These images have hidden data. Click one to try extracting!
๐ What is Image Steganography?
๐ Definition
Steganography is the practice of hiding secret data inside ordinary-looking files. Unlike encryption (which scrambles data so nobody can read it), steganography hides the existence of the data itself โ nobody even knows there's a secret to find.
๐จ How LSB Works
Every digital image is made of pixels, each with Red, Green, and Blue color values (0โ255). Changing the last bit (least significant bit) of each color alters the value by at most 1/255 โ invisible to the human eye. By spreading data across these tiny changes, we can hide information in plain sight.
๐ History
Ancient Greeks wrote messages on wax tablets then covered them with fresh wax. WWII spies used "microdots" โ photographs shrunk to the size of a period on a page. Today, digital steganography hides data in the noise of digital images, audio, and video files.
๐ Encryption vs Steganography
Encryption: Everyone can see you have a secret โ they just can't read it.
Steganography: Nobody even knows you have a secret.
Best practice: Use both โ encrypt the data first, then hide it in an image.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my data uploaded to a server?
No! This tool runs 100% in your browser. Your images and secret messages never leave your device. There is no server processing, no cloud storage, no tracking.
What image format should I use?
PNG is the best format for steganography because it uses lossless compression. JPEG uses lossy compression which will destroy hidden data. If you upload a JPEG, the tool converts it to PNG, but some data may already be lost. Always save and share the output as PNG.
Can I send the steganographic image through WhatsApp/WeChat?
No โ messaging apps compress images (converting PNG to JPEG), which destroys the hidden data. Use email, USB drives, or direct file transfer (AirDrop, Bluetooth) to preserve the data integrity.
How much data can I hide in an image?
The capacity depends on image size. A 1000ร1000 pixel PNG can hide approximately 375 KB of data (3 bits per pixel รท 8 bits per byte ร width ร height). The tool shows real-time capacity information as you type.
Can someone detect that my image has hidden data?
Basic LSB steganography can be detected by specialized steganalysis tools that analyze the LSB plane for statistical anomalies. For higher security, use AES-256 encryption so even if someone extracts the data, they cannot read it without the password. The scattered distribution mode (coming soon) will also spread data pseudo-randomly to resist detection.
What is AES-256 encryption and how do I use it?
AES-256-GCM is a military-grade encryption standard. When you choose "AES-256 Password" in the Hide Data tab, your secret message is encrypted with your password before being embedded into the image. Without the password, even if someone extracts the data, they only see random bytes. The tool uses PBKDF2 key derivation (100,000 iterations) for strong password-based security. Auto Key mode generates a random key for you โ no password needed, but only this tool can extract the data.
Is this tool legal to use?
Yes, steganography is legal in most jurisdictions. It's used for digital watermarking, privacy protection, CTF competitions, and academic research. However, do not use it to hide illegal content or evade law enforcement. Always comply with your local laws.
Disclaimer: This tool is for educational and legitimate privacy purposes only. Do not use it to hide illegal content or evade law enforcement. Always comply with applicable laws and regulations.