Base64 Encode / Decode
Convert text to Base64 encoding or decode Base64 strings back to text.
Encode File to Base64
About This Tool
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 for transmission over text-based protocols like email or to embed binary data in text formats like JSON or HTML.
Common Use Cases
- Embedding images in HTML/CSS (data URIs)
- Encoding binary attachments in email (MIME)
- Storing binary data in JSON or XML
- Transmitting data through URL parameters
- Basic obfuscation (not encryption!)
Examples
Text: Hello, World!
Base64: SGVsbG8sIFdvcmxkIQ==
URL-safe Base64: Uses - and _ instead of + and /
Notes & Limitations
- Base64 increases data size by approximately 33%
- Base64 is NOT encryption - it's easily reversible
- The padding character
=is used when the input length is not divisible by 3 - URL-safe Base64 replaces
+with-and/with_
Privacy Note
All encoding and decoding happens client-side in your browser. Your data is never sent to any server.