Base64 Encoder/Decoder: What It Is and How to Use It
Base64 is a way of turning data into plain text made of letters, numbers and a few symbols. A Base64 Encoder/Decoder converts text or files to that format and back again in one click.
What is Base64?
Base64 represents any data, such as text, images or files, using only 64 safe characters: A to Z, a to z, 0 to 9, plus "+" and "/". Because the result is plain text, it can travel through systems that were built only for text without being damaged.
Where is Base64 used?
- Email attachments: files are encoded so they can be sent as text.
- Data URIs: small images can be placed directly inside HTML or CSS.
- APIs and web tokens: data such as JWT tokens uses a URL-safe form of Base64.
- Configuration files: binary values are stored as readable text.
How to encode and decode
- Open the tool and choose Encode text, Decode text or File to Base64.
- Type or paste your content. The result appears instantly.
- Press Copy to use the result.
For links and tokens, switch on URL-safe Base64. It swaps "+" and "/" for "-" and "_" and removes the "=" padding, so the result works inside web addresses.
Important things to know
- Base64 is not encryption. Anyone can decode it, so never use it to hide passwords or private data.
- It makes data bigger. Encoded data is about one third larger than the original.
- Unicode works. Our tool handles Arabic, accents and emoji correctly.
- Decoding errors. If a string will not decode, check for missing characters or extra symbols.
Who needs a Base64 tool?
Developers use it to debug APIs and read tokens. Designers and web builders use it to embed small images. Anyone can use it to quickly read an encoded string they received.
Free, fast and private
Everything runs in your browser. Your text and files are never uploaded or stored, and there is no sign up or login.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my Base64 end with "="? The "=" characters are padding that make the length a multiple of four. URL-safe Base64 usually leaves them out.
What is the file size limit? The file mode accepts files up to 10 MB.