Encode or decode Base64 strings
Our free Base64 encoder and decoder tool converts text to Base64 encoding and decodes Base64 strings back to plain text instantly. Essential for web developers, programmers, and anyone working with data transmission, APIs, or email encoding.
Using our Base64 tool is straightforward. To encode text to Base64, enter your plain text in the input field and click "Encode to Base64". The encoded result appears in the output field, ready to copy. To decode Base64, paste your Base64 string in the input field and click "Decode from Base64". The decoded text appears instantly. Use the Copy button to quickly copy results to your clipboard, or Clear to reset both fields and start a new conversion.
Base64 is an encoding scheme that converts binary data into ASCII text format using 64 different characters (A-Z, a-z, 0-9, +, and /). This encoding is essential because many systems and protocols are designed to handle text, not binary data. Base64 takes three bytes of binary data and represents them using four ASCII characters, making the data safe for transmission across text-based systems. While Base64 encoding increases data size by approximately 33%, it ensures compatibility across various platforms and protocols that don't support binary data.
Web developers use Base64 to embed images directly in HTML or CSS using data URLs, reducing HTTP requests and improving page load times. Email systems use Base64 to encode attachments in MIME format, ensuring files transfer correctly through email protocols. API developers encode authentication credentials in Base64 for HTTP Basic Authentication headers. Database administrators store binary data like images or files as Base64 text in databases that don't support binary fields. Front-end developers encode JSON data for URL parameters to prevent encoding issues. Security professionals use Base64 when working with tokens, certificates, and cryptographic keys. Mobile app developers encode binary data for transmission via JSON APIs.
In modern web development, Base64 plays a crucial role. Data URLs using Base64 encoding allow you to embed images, fonts, and other resources directly in CSS or HTML, eliminating separate HTTP requests. This technique is particularly useful for small images like icons or logos. Base64 is also used in JSON Web Tokens (JWT) for authentication, where the header and payload are Base64-encoded. When working with the Canvas API, image data is often exported as Base64-encoded PNG or JPEG data. Understanding Base64 is essential for working with file uploads, image manipulation, and modern web APIs.
It's important to understand that Base64 is not encryption or security - it's simply an encoding format. Anyone can decode Base64 instantly, so never use it to protect sensitive data. Base64 is designed for data compatibility and transmission, not security. If you see credentials or sensitive information encoded in Base64, it's not secured. Always use proper encryption algorithms like AES or RSA for protecting confidential data. Base64 is often used alongside encryption, where encrypted binary data is Base64-encoded for transmission, but the Base64 encoding itself provides no security.
Base64 encoding solves the fundamental problem of transmitting binary data through text-only systems. Many protocols like HTTP headers, JSON, XML, and email were designed for text. When you need to send an image, file, or any binary data through these systems, Base64 encoding converts it to a text-safe format. This ensures the data won't be corrupted by text processing, character encoding conversions, or system limitations. While newer protocols and formats handle binary data better, Base64 remains essential for backwards compatibility and working with legacy systems.
All encoding and decoding operations happen locally in your browser using JavaScript. We never send your data to our servers, ensuring complete privacy for sensitive information. The tool processes conversions instantly and works offline once the page is loaded. Your data remains on your device at all times.