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Free Base64 Encoder & Decoder

Encode text to Base64 format or decode Base64 strings back to text instantly. All conversion happens in your browser for maximum security and privacy.

Last Updated: 15 Jan 2026

Plain Text Input

Base64 Result

What is Base64 Encoding?

Base64 is a binary-to-text encoding scheme that converts binary data into a string of ASCII characters. It's called "Base64" because it uses 64 different characters (A-Z, a-z, 0-9, +, /) to represent binary data in a text format that can be safely transmitted through text-only channels.

Base64 encoding increases the size of data by approximately 33%, but it ensures compatibility across systems that only handle text data. It's widely used in web development, email attachments, data URLs, and API communications.

Why Use Our Free Base64 Encoder/Decoder?

100% Client-Side

All encoding and decoding happens entirely in your browser. Your data never leaves your device, ensuring complete privacy and security.

Instant Conversion

Encode or decode Base64 strings instantly as you type. No delays, no server requests. Get results immediately for faster development workflow.

Easy to Use

Simple, intuitive interface with one-click copy functionality. Perfect for developers, testers, and anyone working with encoded data.

Common Use Cases for Base64 Encoding

Web Development

Data URLs
Embed images, fonts, or other binary data directly in HTML/CSS using data URLs (data:image/png;base64,...).
API Communication
Encode binary data (images, files) for transmission in JSON APIs where only text data is allowed.
Authentication Tokens
JWT tokens and other authentication mechanisms use Base64 encoding for safe transmission of encoded data.

Data Processing

Email Attachments
Email protocols use Base64 to encode binary attachments (images, PDFs) for safe transmission through text-based email systems.
Database Storage
Store binary data in text-based database fields or configuration files that only accept string values.
URL Encoding
Encode binary data for safe inclusion in URLs, though URL-safe Base64 variants are preferred for this use case.

How Base64 Encoding Works

Convert to Binary

The input text is first converted to its binary representation (each character becomes 8 bits).

Group into 6-Bit Chunks

The binary data is grouped into chunks of 6 bits each. Each 6-bit chunk can represent values from 0 to 63.

Map to Base64 Characters

Each 6-bit value is mapped to one of 64 characters: A-Z (0-25), a-z (26-51), 0-9 (52-61), + (62), and / (63).

Add Padding

If the input length isn't divisible by 3, padding characters (=) are added to make the output length a multiple of 4.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Base64 encoding?

Base64 is a binary-to-text encoding scheme that represents binary data in an ASCII string format. It's commonly used to encode data in URLs, email attachments, and data transmission where only text characters are allowed.

Is Base64 encoding secure?

Base64 is not encryption—it's encoding. It doesn't provide security or hide data; it only converts data format. Anyone can decode Base64 strings. For security, use proper encryption methods like AES.

Why use Base64 encoding?

Base64 is used when you need to transmit binary data through text-only channels (like JSON, XML, URLs, or email). It ensures data integrity and compatibility across different systems and protocols.

Is my data safe when using this tool?

Yes, all Base64 encoding and decoding happens entirely in your browser using JavaScript. Your data never leaves your device, ensuring complete privacy and security.

Is Base64 the same as encryption?

No, Base64 is encoding, not encryption. It doesn't provide security—anyone can decode Base64 strings. For security, use proper encryption algorithms like AES-256.

Why does Base64 increase file size?

Base64 encoding increases size by approximately 33% because it converts 3 bytes of binary data into 4 ASCII characters, adding overhead for compatibility.

Can I encode images or files?

Yes, you can encode any binary data including images, PDFs, or other files. However, for large files, consider using file upload APIs instead of Base64 encoding.

What's the difference between Base64 and URL encoding?

Base64 encodes binary data to ASCII text. URL encoding (percent encoding) encodes special characters in URLs. They serve different purposes and aren't interchangeable.