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Home › Base64 Encoder / Decoder

Base64 Encoder / Decoder

Encode text to Base64 or decode Base64 back to plain text — all in your browser, nothing sent to any server.

Also try: URL Encoder · JSON Formatter
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Quick Answer

Paste your text in the Input box and click Encode to get Base64, or paste Base64 and click Decode to get plain text. The Swap button lets you flip the two boxes. All processing happens in your browser.

What is Base64 encoding?

Base64 is a method of encoding binary data as ASCII text using 64 characters: A–Z, a–z, 0–9, plus (+) and slash (/), with equals (=) for padding. It was created to allow binary data to pass through systems that only handle text — like older email protocols.

Base64 vs. encryption

Base64 is often confused with encryption, but it provides zero security. It's purely a format transformation — anyone who sees the encoded string can decode it instantly. Never use Base64 to hide passwords or sensitive data. Use it only when you need to safely transport binary data as text.

Common Base64 uses in web development

Web developers use Base64 daily: embedding small images as data URIs in CSS, encoding JWT tokens, passing credentials in HTTP Basic Auth headers (Authorization: Basic dXNlcjpwYXNz), encoding binary payloads in JSON APIs, and reading email attachments which are Base64-encoded in MIME format.

Frequently asked questions

What is Base64 encoding?

Base64 is an encoding scheme that converts binary data into a string of ASCII characters using 64 printable characters (A–Z, a–z, 0–9, +, /). It increases the data size by about 33% but ensures safe transmission over text-only protocols.

When is Base64 used?

Base64 is used to embed images in HTML/CSS (data URIs), encode email attachments (MIME), pass binary data in JSON APIs, store credentials in HTTP Basic Authentication headers, and encode JWTs (JSON Web Tokens).

Is Base64 the same as encryption?

No. Base64 is an encoding scheme, not encryption. Anyone can decode it instantly without a key. It provides no security — it only changes the format of the data. Never use Base64 to protect sensitive information.

Can Base64 handle binary data?

Base64 was designed specifically to handle binary data by converting it to printable ASCII characters. This text-based tool handles UTF-8 strings. For binary files like images, you would need a file-based Base64 encoder.