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Encode text to Base64 or decode Base64 strings back to plain text. A common encoding for embedding binary data in JSON, XML, emails and data URIs.
Base64 String Converter
Convert text to Base64 format and back. Supports both encoding and decoding in your browser.
What it is
Base64 is a group of binary-to-text encoding schemes that represent binary data in an ASCII string format. It is 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.
How it works
Enter the text you want to encode or the Base64 string you want to decode. The tool uses standard browser functions (btoa and atob) to perform the conversion instantly.
Examples
- Encoding:
Hello World→SGVsbG8gV29ybGQ= - Decoding:
SGVsbG8gV29ybGQ=→Hello World - Data URIs: Base64 is often used to embed small images or fonts directly in CSS or HTML files.
Limitations & notes
Base64 encoding increases the data size by approximately 33%. It is not a form of encryption and provides no security; anyone can easily decode a Base64 string.
FAQ
- Is Base64 encryption? No. Base64 is an encoding scheme, not encryption. It transforms binary data into a text representation using 64 printable ASCII characters, but it does not use keys and provides zero security. Anyone can decode a Base64 string instantly - never use it to protect sensitive data.
- Why use Base64 encoding? Base64 solves the problem of transmitting binary data through text-only channels. Email attachments use Base64 (MIME encoding), data URIs embed images directly in HTML/CSS, JSON APIs encode binary payloads, and HTTP Basic Authentication encodes credentials. It increases data size by about 33% but guarantees safe transport.
- What is the difference between standard and URL-safe Base64? Standard Base64 uses + and / characters which have special meaning in URLs. URL-safe Base64 (also called base64url) replaces + with - and / with _, making it safe for use in URL parameters, filenames and cookies without additional encoding. Both variants decode to the same binary data.
- Why does Base64 output end with = signs? The = characters are padding. Base64 encodes 3 bytes of input into 4 characters of output. If the input length is not a multiple of 3, padding characters are added to complete the final 4-character block. One = means 2 bytes were encoded in the last block, == means 1 byte. Some implementations omit padding entirely.