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Base64 Encoder & Decoder

Encode and decode Base64 online. Supports text and files. Free, fast, and private.

What Is Base64 Encoding?

Base64 is a binary-to-text encoding scheme that converts binary data into a string of 64 printable ASCII characters (A–Z, a–z, 0–9, +, /). It was designed to safely transmit binary data over channels that only support text, such as email (SMTP), JSON APIs, and HTML attributes.

The most common use case is embedding images in CSS or HTML as data URIs (data:image/png;base64,...), which eliminates an HTTP request. Base64 is also used for HTTP Basic Authentication headers, JWT tokens (the header and payload sections are Base64url encoded), and storing binary data in JSON payloads.

Important: Base64 is encoding, not encryption. Anyone can decode Base64 instantly — it provides no security. Never use Base64 to hide passwords or sensitive data. Base64 also increases data size by approximately 33% compared to the original binary, so it's a trade-off between compatibility and size.

This tool supports both text encoding/decoding (bidirectional, real-time) and file encoding (any file type up to 10 MB). All processing happens in your browser — your data never leaves your device.

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 images, files, and binary data for transmission over text-based protocols like email and JSON APIs.

When should I use Base64 encoding?

Use Base64 when you need to embed binary data (like images) in JSON, XML, or HTML, send binary data over email, or store binary data in text-based databases. It's also used for HTTP Basic Authentication headers.

Does Base64 encoding compress data?

No. Base64 encoding actually increases data size by approximately 33%. It's not compression — it's a way to represent binary data using only printable ASCII characters.

Can I encode files to Base64?

Yes. This tool supports both text and file encoding. Upload any file and it will be converted to a Base64 string. You can also decode Base64 back to a downloadable file.

Is Base64 encoding secure?

No. Base64 is encoding, not encryption. Anyone can decode Base64 instantly. Never use Base64 to "hide" passwords or sensitive data — use proper encryption instead.

What is the maximum file size I can encode?

The tool can handle files up to 10MB. Larger files may cause browser slowdowns. For very large files, consider server-side encoding.

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