Base64 Encode & Decode
Encode text to Base64 or decode Base64 strings instantly. All processing happens in your browser.
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How to Use the Base64 Encoder/Decoder
This Base64 tool makes it easy to encode and decode data in the Base64 format. Simply paste your text or Base64 string into the input field, select whether you want to encode or decode, and the result appears instantly.
To encode: Paste any text into the input field with the "Encode" mode selected. The tool converts your text into a Base64-encoded string using UTF-8 encoding, ensuring that special characters and international text are handled correctly.
To decode: Switch to "Decode" mode and paste a Base64 string. The tool will convert it back to the original text. If the Base64 string is invalid, you'll see a clear error message.
The one-click copy button lets you grab the output and paste it wherever you need it — code editors, API clients, configuration files, or documentation. Like all our tools, everything runs locally in your browser. No data is sent to any server, making it safe for encoding sensitive information.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Base64 encoding?
Base64 is a binary-to-text encoding scheme that represents binary data as an ASCII string. It uses 64 characters (A-Z, a-z, 0-9, +, /) to encode data. It's commonly used to embed binary data in text-based formats like JSON, XML, HTML, and email (MIME).
Is Base64 encoding the same as encryption?
No. Base64 is an encoding scheme, not encryption. Anyone can decode Base64 data without a key. It's designed for data transport and compatibility, not security. Never use Base64 to protect sensitive information — use proper encryption (AES, RSA) for that.
Why does Base64 increase data size?
Base64 encoding increases data size by approximately 33%. Every 3 bytes of input become 4 bytes of Base64 output. This overhead is the trade-off for being able to safely transmit binary data through text-only channels.
What is URL-safe Base64?
Standard Base64 uses + and / characters, which have special meanings in URLs. URL-safe Base64 replaces + with - and / with _, making it safe to use in URLs and filenames without additional encoding. This tool supports both standard and URL-safe variants.
When should I use Base64 encoding?
Common use cases include: embedding images in HTML/CSS (data URIs), sending binary data in JSON APIs, encoding email attachments (MIME), storing binary data in text-based databases, and passing complex data in URL parameters.