Base64 Encoder & Decoder
Fast and secure Base64 encoding and decoding.
Text Input
Enter plain text to encode
Base64 Output
Encoded result appears here
About Base64 Encoder & Decoder
Base64 is a binary-to-text encoding scheme that represents binary data in an ASCII string format. It's widely used in various applications including email attachments, data URLs, API authentication, and storing complex data in systems that only support text. Our Base64 Encoder & Decoder provides a fast, secure, and reliable way to convert between plain text and Base64 format.
This tool handles all encoding and decoding operations directly in your browser, ensuring complete privacy and security for sensitive data. Whether you're working with API credentials, embedding images in HTML, or transmitting binary data over text-based protocols, our tool makes the process simple and efficient.
With support for Unicode text, large data sets, and instant conversion, this tool is designed for developers, system administrators, and anyone who needs reliable Base64 encoding and decoding capabilities. The intuitive interface allows you to quickly switch between encoding and decoding modes, making it perfect for debugging and development workflows.
How to Use
Step 1: Choose Your Mode
Select "Encode" to convert plain text to Base64, or "Decode" to convert Base64 back to plain text using the toggle buttons at the top.
Step 2: Enter Your Data
Paste or type your text (for encoding) or Base64 string (for decoding) into the input field on the left side.
Step 3: Process the Data
Click the "Encode to Base64" or "Decode from Base64" button to process your input. The result will appear instantly in the output field.
Step 4: Use the Result
Click the "Copy" button to copy the result to your clipboard, or use the "Swap" button to move the output to input for further processing.
Key Features
Unicode Support
Full support for Unicode characters, emojis, and international text encoding.
Privacy-First
All processing happens locally in your browser. No data is ever sent to servers.
Instant Conversion
Lightning-fast encoding and decoding with no network delays or processing queues.
Bidirectional Flow
Easily switch between encoding and decoding modes with one-click swap functionality.
History Support
Full undo/redo functionality to navigate through your encoding history.
Mobile Responsive
Optimized for all devices with touch-friendly controls and adaptive layout.
Examples
Example 1: Basic Authentication
Input (Plain Text):
username:password123
Output (Base64 Encoded):
dXNlcm5hbWU6cGFzc3dvcmQxMjM=
Used in HTTP headers: Authorization: Basic dXNlcm5hbWU6cGFzc3dvcmQxMjM=
Example 2: Data URL for Small Image
Input (SVG Image):
<svg width="16" height="16"> <circle cx="8" cy="8" r="8" fill="red"/> </svg>
Output (Base64 Data URL):
data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiPgogIDxjaXJjbGUgY3g9IjgiIGN5PSI4IiByPSI4IiBmaWxsPSJyZWQiLz4KPC9zdmc+
Example 3: JSON Configuration
Input (JSON):
{"api_key":"sk-1234567890","model":"gpt-4"}Output (Base64):
eyJhcGlfa2V5Ijoic2stMTIzNDU2Nzg5MCIsIm1vZGVsIjoiZ3B0LTQifQ==
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Base64 encoding?
Base64 is a method of encoding binary data using a set of 64 characters (A-Z, a-z, 0-9, +, /) that are safe for transmission over text-based protocols. It's commonly used when you need to store or transfer binary data through systems designed to handle text.
Is Base64 encryption?
No, Base64 is NOT encryption. It's an encoding scheme that can be easily reversed. Never use Base64 alone for securing sensitive data. It should only be used for data transmission and storage compatibility, not security.
Why does Base64 increase data size?
Base64 encoding increases the data size by approximately 33% because it represents every 3 bytes of binary data as 4 ASCII characters. This overhead is the trade-off for being able to safely transmit binary data through text-only channels.
Can I encode binary files?
This tool is optimized for text data. For binary files like images or documents, you would need to first convert them to a text representation or use specialized file encoding tools that can handle binary input directly.
What's the maximum size I can encode?
Since processing happens in your browser, the practical limit depends on your device's memory. Most modern browsers can handle several megabytes of text without issues. For very large files, consider using command-line tools or programming libraries.
Does this tool support URL-safe Base64?
This tool uses standard Base64 encoding (with + and / characters). For URL-safe Base64 (which uses - and _ instead), you would need to manually replace these characters or use a specialized URL-safe Base64 encoder.
Can I use this offline?
Once the page is loaded, all encoding and decoding operations work offline since they're performed entirely in your browser using JavaScript. You only need an internet connection to initially load the tool.
How do I encode special characters and emojis?
This tool fully supports Unicode, including special characters and emojis. They are first converted to UTF-8 bytes and then encoded to Base64, ensuring proper encoding and decoding of all Unicode characters.