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Diagnostics / TOOL 04

Email inspector

Inspect a saved email locally to understand MIME size, attachment encoding and the assumptions behind a data-transfer estimate.

See a worked example
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Understand the result

Why a small attachment grows

3 raw bytes → 4 base64 characters
4 / 3 − 1 ≈ 33.3% encoding overhead

Line wrapping, MIME boundaries and headers can add more bytes beyond the base64 characters. The inspector distinguishes decoded base64 content from serialized message size; neither number proves that a provider will accept a message.

Inspect a representative message

Use a synthetic sample first. Then load a supported local file or paste the raw source. Compare normalized message size with encoded attachment bytes and review warnings. A size diagnostic does not establish sender authenticity or whether an attachment is safe.

What this tool can and cannot tell you

Base64 expands binary data to roughly four bytes for every three input bytes, before line breaks and MIME headers. Provider message limits apply to encoded messages. This diagnostic does not send email or test spam placement.

Common questions

Why is my attachment bigger after encoding?

Base64 expands groups of three bytes into four characters and may add padding. MIME framing and line wrapping add more bytes.

Will this send the email or upload the .eml file?

No. File reading and parsing occur in the browser workspace. The tool has no send-email operation.

Can I share the report without exposing recipients?

The report deliberately omits raw content and identifying headers. Review the resulting file before sharing; do not share your original message by mistake.

Worked examples are synthetic. No customer outcome or saving is implied. Content by Orr Yoffe.

Twelve Tools directory

TheDevToolsDir

Related tool: Transactional Email Cost Calculator — SES vs MailerSend

Reproduce a known result

The attachment decodes to ABC: three bytes represented by four base64 characters. Whole-message bytes also include MIME headers, boundaries and line endings.

Load Three-byte synthetic MIME attachment · Download synthetic example

Examples and troubleshooting

The size of a file on disk is only one part of an email message. MIME headers, boundaries, transfer encoding and line breaks also consume bytes. Inspect a representative message before extrapolating a monthly data estimate.

Estimate MIME attachment size and base64 overhead

Privacy

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