Base64 Encoder / Decoder
Encode text to Base64 or decode Base64 back to text.
Unlock Unlimited Access
Remove ads, get unlimited daily usage, priority speed & export features.
Upgrade to Pro — $9/moGet notified of new tools
Join 1,200+ users. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
How to use Base64 Encoder / Decoder
- 1Enter or paste text to encode/decode
- 2Click 'Encode' to convert to Base64
- 3Click 'Decode' to convert back to plain text
- 4Copy the result
Pro tip: Base64 is commonly used for encoding data in URLs, emails, and API tokens.
What is Base64 Encoding?
Base64 is a binary-to-text encoding scheme that converts binary data into a string of ASCII characters using 64 printable characters (A-Z, a-z, 0-9, +, /). It's commonly used to embed binary data (images, files) in text-based formats like JSON, HTML, CSS, emails, and URLs. Our free tool encodes text to Base64 and decodes Base64 back to plain text instantly in your browser.
When to Use Base64 Encoding
- Embedding small images directly in HTML/CSS as data URIs
- Encoding binary attachments in email (MIME) format
- Transmitting binary data in JSON API payloads
- Encoding authentication credentials for HTTP Basic Auth headers
- Storing binary data in text-only databases or config files
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Base64 encryption?
No. Base64 is encoding, not encryption. It's completely reversible by anyone without any key. Never use Base64 to protect sensitive data — it provides zero security. Use it only for data format conversion.
Why does Base64 make data larger?
Base64 increases data size by approximately 33% because it represents 3 bytes of binary data as 4 ASCII characters. This trade-off is acceptable when you need to embed binary data in text-only contexts.
What is a Base64 data URI?
A data URI embeds file content directly in HTML/CSS: 'data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgo...'. This eliminates an HTTP request but increases HTML size. Best for small files under 5KB (icons, small SVGs).
What characters does Base64 use?
Standard Base64 uses A-Z, a-z, 0-9, +, and / (64 characters total), with = for padding. URL-safe Base64 replaces + with - and / with _ to avoid conflicts with URL syntax.