Base64 Encoder & Decoder
Encode text to Base64 or decode Base64 back to text. All processing happens in your browser — 100% private.
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About Base64 Encoder & Decoder
Base64 is a binary-to-text encoding scheme that represents binary data using only 64 printable ASCII characters (A–Z, a–z, 0–9, +, /). It was designed to safely transmit binary data over channels that only handle text — like email (MIME), URLs, JSON, XML, and HTML attributes. Base64 encoding does NOT provide security or encryption; it simply makes binary data portable across text-only systems. This tool lets you instantly encode any text to Base64 or decode Base64 strings back to their original form, entirely in your browser.
How It Works
- Paste or type your plain text in the input box to encode it, or paste a Base64 string to decode it.
- Click "Encode to Base64" to convert text → Base64, or "Decode from Base64" to convert Base64 → text.
- The result appears instantly on the right side — copy it with a single click.
- If your input is invalid Base64 (wrong characters, incorrect padding), an error message appears immediately.
✨ Key Features
- ✓Encode any text to Base64 format instantly
- ✓Decode Base64 strings back to readable text
- ✓Handles Unicode and multi-byte characters correctly
- ✓One-click copy for encoded or decoded output
- ✓Live character counter for both input and output
- ✓Instant error detection for invalid Base64 strings
- ✓100% client-side — no data is uploaded to any server
- ✓No signup, no limits, completely free
🎯 Common Use Cases
- →Encoding authentication credentials for HTTP Basic Auth headers
- →Creating data URLs for embedding images directly in HTML/CSS
- →Decoding JWT tokens (the header and payload are Base64URL encoded)
- →Encoding binary data for JSON or XML transport
- →Working with email attachments (MIME Base64 encoding)
- →Debugging API requests that use Base64-encoded payloads
- →Encoding small images or icons for inline use
💡 Advanced Tips & Pro Insights
- ▸Base64 is encoding, NOT encryption — anyone can decode it. Never use it to hide sensitive data like passwords or API keys.
- ▸For URLs, use Base64URL (RFC 4648) which replaces + with - and / with _ to avoid URL-escaping issues. JWTs use Base64URL.
- ▸Base64 increases data size by ~33% — a 3-byte input becomes 4 characters. Keep this in mind for large payloads.
- ▸The trailing "=" characters are padding. Some systems omit padding — most decoders handle this gracefully, but strict ones may reject it.
- ▸To encode binary files like images, use the browser FileReader API with readAsDataURL() which handles both reading and Base64 encoding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this Base64 encoder free to use?▾
Yes, this Base64 encoder and decoder is completely free with no signup, registration, or usage limits.
Is my data safe?▾
Absolutely. All encoding and decoding happens entirely in your browser using JavaScript. Your data never leaves your device, and nothing is sent to any server.
Is Base64 encryption?▾
No. Base64 is only an encoding scheme, not encryption. It does not provide any security — anyone can decode a Base64 string instantly. Never use Base64 to hide passwords, API keys, or other secrets.
What is Base64 used for?▾
Base64 is used to transmit binary data over text-only channels such as email (MIME), JSON, XML, URLs, and HTML. Common examples include embedding images as data URLs, encoding HTTP Basic Auth credentials, and encoding JWT tokens.
Why does Base64 output end with "=" signs?▾
The "=" characters are padding. Base64 processes data in 3-byte groups, producing 4 characters. When the input length is not a multiple of 3, padding "=" is added to make the output a valid length.
Can I decode a JWT with this tool?▾
Yes, but JWTs use Base64URL (a URL-safe variant) where "+" is replaced with "-" and "/" with "_". You can manually replace those characters before decoding, or use a dedicated JWT decoder tool.
Does this tool support Unicode (Hindi, emoji, etc.)?▾
Yes, the tool correctly handles UTF-8 text including Hindi, Arabic, emoji, and other multi-byte characters. It uses the browser's native TextEncoder/TextDecoder APIs.
Can I use this tool for commercial projects?▾
Yes, you can freely use the encoded or decoded output in any personal or commercial project.