Base64 Encode & Decode

Encode text to Base64 or decode Base64 back to readable text. Essential tool for developers, API work, and data transmission.

How to Use

  1. Enter your text or Base64 string
  2. Click Encode or Decode
  3. View the converted result
  4. Copy to clipboard

About Base64 Encoding


Base64 is an encoding scheme that converts binary data into ASCII text. It's commonly used in web development, email attachments, and APIs to safely transmit binary data through text-based channels.

Our Base64 tool handles both encoding (text to Base64) and decoding (Base64 to text). It properly handles UTF-8 characters, ensuring special characters and non-English text convert correctly.

The URL-safe option modifies the encoding to use characters safe for URLs, replacing + with - and / with _. This is essential when Base64 data needs to be included in web addresses or query strings.

Developers frequently use Base64 for basic authentication headers, data URIs for inline images, and encoding JSON payloads for transmission. This tool makes testing and debugging these encodings quick and easy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Base64?
Base64 is an encoding that represents binary data using 64 printable ASCII characters. It's used to safely transmit binary data through text-based systems.
Why does Base64 make things longer?
Base64 uses 4 characters to represent every 3 bytes, increasing size by about 33%. This trade-off allows binary data to be transmitted as text.
Can it encode images?
This tool encodes text. For images, use a tool that can read binary files and output Base64 data URIs.
What is URL-safe Base64?
URL-safe Base64 replaces + with - and / with _ to avoid URL encoding issues when Base64 appears in web addresses.
Why is my decoded text garbled?
The original text may have used different encoding than UTF-8, or the Base64 string might be corrupted or incomplete.