Base64 Encode / Decode
Encode and decode Base64 strings — 100% local processing
Text Input
Base64 Output
About Base64 Encode/Decode
Base64 is an encoding that represents binary data using 64 printable ASCII characters. It is used wherever binary content has to travel through text-only channels: email attachments, data URLs, HTTP basic authentication headers, and tokens embedded in JSON.
Base64 is not encryption. Anyone can decode it, so it offers no confidentiality. It also makes data about one third larger than the original. This tool encodes text or files to Base64 and decodes Base64 back to its original form, all inside your browser.
Common use cases
- Decoding a Base64 value found in a config file, log line, or API response.
- Encoding a small file or image so it can be embedded as a data URL.
- Checking what an Authorization: Basic header actually contains.
- Converting text with non-ASCII characters to a transport-safe form.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between Base64 and Base64URL?
- Base64URL replaces + and / with - and _ and usually omits the = padding, so the result is safe inside URLs and JWTs.
- Why does decoding give garbled characters?
- The decoded bytes may be binary data rather than text, or text in a different character encoding than the one used to display it.
- Is Base64 a secure way to hide secrets?
- No. It is a reversible encoding, not encryption. Never rely on it to protect passwords or tokens.