Base64 Encoder/Decoder
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How to Use the Base64 Encoder/Decoder
- Choose Encode or Decode mode
- Enable "URL-safe" if you need Base64URL format
- Paste or type your text in the input field
- Click the convert button or wait for auto-conversion
- Copy the result using the "Copy Result" button
- Use "Swap" to quickly switch input and output
Common Use Cases
- Data URIs - Embed images directly in HTML/CSS
- API Authentication - Basic auth uses Base64 encoded credentials
- Email Attachments - MIME encoding for binary attachments
- JSON Web Tokens - JWT payload is Base64URL encoded
- Binary in Text - Store binary data in JSON, XML, or databases
- Data Transfer - Safe transmission over text-only channels
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Base64 encoding?
Base64 is a binary-to-text encoding scheme that represents binary data using 64 ASCII characters. It's commonly used to encode data for transmission over text-based protocols like email or JSON.
When should I use Base64?
Use Base64 when embedding binary data (like images) in HTML/CSS, sending data through APIs that only accept text, storing binary data in JSON or XML, or encoding email attachments.
Does Base64 encrypt data?
No, Base64 is NOT encryption. It's simply an encoding scheme. Anyone can decode Base64 data. Never use Base64 alone for sensitive data - use proper encryption instead.
Why does Base64 make data larger?
Base64 increases data size by approximately 33% because it represents 3 bytes of binary data using 4 ASCII characters. This is the trade-off for text-safe encoding.
What's the difference between Base64 and Base64URL?
Base64URL replaces + with - and / with _ to make the output URL-safe. Standard Base64 uses characters that have special meaning in URLs.