Base64 Encoder/Decoder
Convert text to Base64 encoding or decode Base64 back to text.
You can also drag and drop a text file here
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About Base64 Encoding/Decoding
What is Base64?
Base64 is a binary-to-text encoding scheme that represents binary data in an ASCII string format. It's commonly used to encode binary data, such as images, when that data needs to be transmitted in environments that only reliably support text content.
How Base64 Works
- Converts binary data to a set of 64 ASCII characters
- Uses A-Z, a-z, 0-9, + and / for encoding (with = for padding)
- Increases the data size by approximately 33%
- Ensures safe transmission of binary data as text
Common Use Cases
- Embedding images directly in HTML/CSS using data URLs
- Encoding binary data in JSON payloads
- Sending binary data in email body content
- Storing complex data in cookies or local storage
- Encoding user credentials in Basic Authentication
- Transferring binary data through text-only protocols
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Base64 encoding and why is it used?
Base64 is a binary-to-text encoding scheme that converts binary data into ASCII characters using a 64-character alphabet (A-Z, a-z, 0-9, +, /). It's used to safely transmit binary data through text-only protocols, embed images in HTML/CSS, store complex data in cookies, and encode data in JSON payloads.
Is Base64 encoding a form of encryption?
No, Base64 is not encryption - it's simply an encoding method. Anyone can easily decode Base64 text back to its original form. Base64 is designed for data transmission and storage compatibility, not security. Never use Base64 alone to protect sensitive information.
Why does Base64 encoding make data larger?
Base64 encoding increases data size by approximately 33% because it represents every 3 bytes of binary data using 4 ASCII characters. This overhead is the trade-off for ensuring safe transmission through text-only systems that might not handle binary data correctly.
Can I encode any type of file with this tool?
This tool is designed for text encoding/decoding. For files, you'd need to first convert the file to a text representation. Use our Image to Base64 tool for images, or other specialized tools for different file types that need to be embedded or transmitted as text.
What are the characters used in Base64 encoding?
Base64 uses 64 characters: uppercase letters A-Z, lowercase letters a-z, digits 0-9, plus (+), and forward slash (/). The equals sign (=) is used for padding when needed. This character set is safe for most text-based protocols and systems.
Why do I get padding characters (=) in my Base64 output?
Padding with equals signs (=) ensures the Base64 output length is always a multiple of 4 characters. This happens when the input data length isn't divisible by 3. The padding doesn't affect the decoded result and is a normal part of Base64 encoding.
Can I decode Base64 that was encoded by other tools?
Yes, Base64 is a standard encoding format. Any properly encoded Base64 string from any tool should decode correctly with our decoder. However, if you get an error, check that the input is valid Base64 and doesn't contain invalid characters.
What happens if I try to decode invalid Base64?
If you try to decode invalid Base64 (containing characters not in the Base64 alphabet or malformed), the tool will show an error message. Make sure your input contains only valid Base64 characters and proper formatting.
Is my data secure when using this tool?
Yes, all encoding and decoding happens entirely in your browser using client-side JavaScript. No data is sent to our servers or stored anywhere. Your text remains completely private throughout the encoding/decoding process.
Can I use this for encoding passwords or sensitive data?
While this tool is secure (client-side only), remember that Base64 is not encryption. Anyone can easily decode Base64 text. For passwords or sensitive data, use proper encryption tools, not just Base64 encoding.
What are data URLs and how do they relate to Base64?
Data URLs (data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANS...) embed files directly in HTML/CSS using Base64 encoding. They're commonly used for small images, fonts, or other assets to reduce HTTP requests and improve page load times.
Can I encode Unicode or international characters?
Yes, this tool properly handles Unicode characters and international text. The browser's built-in encoding functions correctly process UTF-8 text, so you can safely encode and decode text in any language or with special characters.