Base64 Encode & Decode
Encode text to Base64 or decode Base64 back to text. Supports UTF-8 characters.
About Base64 Encoding
Base64 is a binary-to-text encoding that represents binary data as ASCII characters. Common uses include embedding images in HTML/CSS, encoding email attachments (MIME), and transmitting data in URLs or JSON payloads.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Base64 encoding?▼
Base64 is a binary-to-text encoding scheme that converts binary data into ASCII characters. It uses 64 characters (A-Z, a-z, 0-9, +, /) to represent data. It's commonly used to embed binary data in text-based formats like JSON, XML, HTML, and email.
Why would I need to encode something in Base64?▼
Base64 is used when you need to transmit binary data over text-based protocols. Common use cases include: embedding images in HTML/CSS (data URIs), sending binary attachments in emails, storing binary data in JSON or XML, and encoding authentication credentials in HTTP headers (Basic Auth).
Is Base64 encryption?▼
No, Base64 is encoding, not encryption. It does not provide any security — anyone can decode Base64 back to the original data. For securing data, use proper encryption algorithms like AES or RSA.
Does Base64 increase file size?▼
Yes. Base64 encoding increases the size of data by approximately 33%. For example, a 3-byte input becomes 4 Base64 characters. This is the trade-off for being able to transmit binary data as text.
Is my data safe when using this tool?▼
Yes. This Base64 tool runs entirely in your browser using JavaScript's built-in btoa() and atob() functions. No data is sent to any server — everything stays on your device.