Base64 Encode & Decode
Convert text or binary data to Base64 and vice versa instantly.
About Base64 Encode & Decode
What is Base64?
Base64 is a binary-to-text encoding scheme that represents binary data in an ASCII string format by translating it into a radix-64 representation. The term originates from a specific MIME content transfer encoding. Each Base64 digit represents exactly 6 bits of data. Three 8-bit bytes (24 bits) can therefore be represented by four 6-bit Base64 digits.
Why is Base64 Encoding Used?
Base64 is commonly used when there is a need to encode binary data that needs to be stored and transferred over media that are designed to deal with text (such as HTML, JSON, or XML). This encoding helps to ensure that the data remains intact without modification during transport. Typical use cases include embedding image files directly into HTML or CSS (Data URIs), sending email attachments (SMTP), and storing complex data structures in browser cookies.
How to use this tool:
1. Paste the text or Base64 string you want to convert into the "Input Data" box.
2. Click Encode to transform plain text into a Base64 encoded string.
3. Click Decode to transform a valid Base64 string back into readable plain text.
4. If you input an invalid Base64 string while decoding, the tool will alert you in red text.
UTF-8 & Emoji Support
Unlike standard native browser functions (btoa and atob) which fail when encountering Unicode characters (like Emojis or Non-English text), our robust JavaScript implementation safely handles all UTF-8 characters.
Need to convert images?
For PNG, JPG, WebP, SVG, or GIF with drag-and-drop upload, preview, and download, use the Image to Base64 Converter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Base64 an encryption method?
No. Base64 is an encoding method, not a cryptographic encryption algorithm. It does not hide or secure the data; it simply changes its format so that it can be transmitted safely over text-based protocols. Anyone with a standard Base64 decoder can read the original content. Never use Base64 to secure passwords or sensitive data.
Why does my Base64 string end with an equals sign '='?
The equals sign '=' is used as a padding character in Base64 encoding. Because Base64 encodes data in 24-bit blocks (3 bytes), if your input string is not a multiple of 3 bytes, padding is required to fill out the last block. You might see one '=' or two '==' at the end of the string depending on the missing byte count.
Can I encode images or files?
This tool is optimized for text. For images (PNG, JPG, WebP, SVG, GIF) with drag-and-drop, preview, size stats, and download, use our Image to Base64 Converter at /tool/image-base64. Base64 can encode any binary data; image Data URIs look like data:image/png;base64,...
Why do I get an 'Invalid Base64 string' error?
This error occurs during decoding if the input string contains characters outside the standard Base64 alphabet (A-Z, a-z, 0-9, +, /), or if the string length is not a valid multiple of 4 (including padding). Ensure you haven't accidentally copied whitespace or line breaks.