Base64 Encoder/Decoder

Encode text to Base64 or decode Base64 to plain text.

Select Operation

Enter Text to Encode

Text will be automatically processed as you type

Base64 Result

What is Base64 Encoding?

Base64 is a binary-to-text encoding scheme that represents binary data in an ASCII string format by translating it into a radix-64 representation. It's commonly used when there is a need to encode binary data that needs to be stored and transferred over media that are designed to deal with text.

This encoding is commonly used in a number of applications including:

  • Email: To encode attachments (MIME)
  • Web Development: To embed image data directly in HTML or CSS
  • APIs: For basic authentication and token transmission
  • Data URIs: To include data inline in web pages
  • Cryptography: As part of signature and encryption processes

Base64 uses a set of 64 printable ASCII characters: A-Z, a-z, 0-9, + and / with = used for padding. Each Base64 digit represents exactly 6 bits of data.

How to Use This Tool

  1. Encoding:
    • Select "Encode to Base64" option
    • Type or paste your text in the input box
    • The result will update automatically as you type
    • Use the "Copy Result" button to copy the encoded text
  2. Decoding:
    • Select "Decode from Base64" option
    • Type or paste your Base64 string in the input box
    • The result will update automatically as you type
    • View the decoded text in the output box

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Base64 encoding a form of encryption?

No, Base64 is not encryption. It's simply an encoding method that transforms binary data into a text format. It doesn't provide any security or confidentiality since it can be easily reversed without a key.

Why do Base64 strings often end with "="?

The "=" characters at the end of a Base64 string are padding characters. Since Base64 encodes 3 bytes of data into 4 characters, if the input length is not divisible by 3, padding is needed to complete the last 4-character block.

Is the data processed by this tool secure?

Yes, all processing happens entirely in your browser. Your data never leaves your device and is not sent to any server.

What's the maximum input size?

This tool can handle reasonably large inputs, but extremely large texts (several megabytes) might cause browser performance issues. For very large files, consider using desktop software or command-line tools.