Base64 Encoder/Decoder
About Base64:
Base64 encoding converts binary data into ASCII text. It's used in emails, URLs, and data URIs. This tool supports UTF-8 for international characters.
How the Base64 Encoder/Decoder Works
Base64 represents binary data as plain ASCII text, using a set of 64 safe characters. Encoding takes your text's raw bytes and maps them to that character set; decoding reverses the process to recover the original text. Everything runs locally in your browser using the built-in Web APIs — nothing is uploaded anywhere.
It's commonly used for embedding data in URLs, JSON, HTML, or CSS, and for transmitting binary-safe data through text-only systems like email.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Base64 the same as encryption?
No. Base64 is encoding, not encryption — it's fully reversible by anyone and provides no security or confidentiality. Never use it to "protect" sensitive data.
What is Base64 typically used for?
Embedding small images or files as data URIs in HTML/CSS, encoding binary data in JSON or XML, and safely transmitting data through systems designed for plain text.
Why did decoding fail?
The input isn't valid Base64 — it likely contains characters outside the Base64 alphabet or has incorrect padding. Double-check you copied the full encoded string.