About Base64 Encoder & Decoder
Our free Base64 encoder and decoder tool helps you encode text to Base64 or decode Base64 strings back to text instantly. Base64 encoding is a binary-to-text encoding scheme that represents binary data in an ASCII string format. It's widely used in web development, APIs, email systems, and data storage.
What is Base64 Encoding?
Base64 is an encoding scheme that converts binary data into a text format using only 64 ASCII characters (A-Z, a-z, 0-9, +, /). This makes it safe to transmit binary data through text-based protocols and systems that only support ASCII characters.
The name "Base64" comes from the fact that it uses a base-64 numbering system. Each Base64 character represents 6 bits of data, so every 4 Base64 characters represent 3 bytes (24 bits) of original data.
Key Features
🔤 Encode to Base64
Convert any text string to Base64 encoding instantly.
📝 Decode from Base64
Convert Base64 strings back to their original text format.
⚡ Real-time Conversion
Encoding and decoding happens automatically as you type.
🔒 Privacy First
All processing happens in your browser. No data is sent to servers.
Common Use Cases
- API Development: Encode/decode data in API requests and responses, especially for authentication tokens.
- Email Systems: Encode binary attachments in email (MIME encoding).
- Data Storage: Store binary data in JSON or XML formats that only support text.
- URL Encoding: Encode binary data for use in URLs and HTML forms.
- Configuration Files: Encode sensitive data in configuration files.
- Data Transmission: Transmit binary data over text-based protocols like HTTP.
How to Use
- Encode Text: Enter or paste your text, then click "Encode to Base64" to convert it to Base64 format.
- Decode Base64: Paste a Base64 string, then click "Decode from Base64" to convert it back to text.
- Auto Conversion: The tool can automatically detect and convert as you type.
- Copy Result: Click "Copy" to copy the encoded or decoded result to your clipboard.
- Download: Click "Download" to save the result as a text file.
Examples
- Text to Base64: "Hello World" → "SGVsbG8gV29ybGQ="
- Base64 to Text: "SGVsbG8gV29ybGQ=" → "Hello World"
- Special Characters: Base64 can encode any text including special characters and Unicode.
- Long Text: Works with text of any length, from single words to entire documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I encode text to Base64?
Simply enter or paste your text in the input field and click 'Encode to Base64'. The tool will instantly convert your text to Base64 encoding. You can also type directly and the conversion happens automatically.
How do I decode Base64 strings?
Paste your Base64 string in the input field and click 'Decode from Base64'. The tool will instantly convert the Base64 string back to its original text format.
What is Base64 encoding used for?
Base64 encoding is commonly used for encoding binary data in text-based protocols like email (MIME), storing data in JSON/XML, encoding data in URLs, and transmitting data over text-based systems.
Is this Base64 encoder free?
Yes, our Base64 encoder/decoder is 100% free forever. No ads, no login required, and all processing happens in your browser for complete privacy and security.
Can I encode binary data?
While this tool is designed for text encoding/decoding, Base64 can encode any binary data. For binary files, consider using our Base64 Image Converter tool.