Whether you're working with web APIs, embedding images directly in your code, or just trying to understand a long, cryptic string of characters, Base64 is everywhere. Our free Online Base64 Encoder & Decoder makes it simple to translate text or even files into a Base64 string, and decode them back to their original form.

How to Use Our Base64 Converter

This tool performs both encoding and decoding. Follow the steps for the task you need.

To Encode Text or a File to Base64:

1. For text: Paste your plain text into the "Input" box on the left and click the "Encode to Base64" button.
2. For a file: Click the "Encode a File to Base64" button, select a file from your device, and the Base64 string will appear in the "Output" box.

To Decode Base64 back to Text:

1. Paste the Base64 string into the "Input" box on the left.
2. Click the "Decode from Base64" button.
3. The original, human-readable text will appear in the "Output" box.

Example: Encoding "Hello World"

See how a simple text string is transformed into its Base64 representation.

Input:

Hello World!

Output (Base64):

SGVsbG8gV29ybGQh

What is Base64 Encoding?

Base64 is a method for encoding binary data (like images, files, or even plain text) into a limited, universally safe set of ASCII characters. It's not a form of encryption, but rather a way to ensure that data remains intact without modification during transport through systems that are designed to handle only plain text.

The name "Base64" comes from the fact that it uses a set of 64 standard characters to represent the data. These include uppercase letters (A-Z), lowercase letters (a-z), numbers (0-9), and two symbols (`+` and `/`), with the equals sign (`=`) used for padding.

Common uses for Base64 include:

• Data URIs: Embedding small images or fonts directly into a CSS or HTML file to reduce the number of HTTP requests a browser needs to make. The format looks like `data:image/png;base64,...`.
• Email Attachments: Base64 is used in the MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) standard to encode binary file attachments in emails.
• Web APIs: It's often used to transmit binary data within a text-based format like JSON or XML.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Is Base64 a form of encryption? Is it secure?

No, Base64 is not encryption. It is an encoding scheme. Anyone can easily decode a Base64 string back to its original form using a tool like this one. It provides zero security and should never be used to protect sensitive information. Its only purpose is to safely transport data through text-based systems.

Q2: Why do some Base64 strings end with an equals sign (=)?

The equals sign is used as a padding character. The Base64 algorithm processes data in chunks of 3 bytes (24 bits), which it converts into 4 Base64 characters (4 * 6 bits = 24 bits). If the input data isn't a perfect multiple of 3 bytes, one or two `=` characters are added to the end to make the output a multiple of 4 characters.

Q3: Is my data safe when using this tool?

Yes, 100%. This tool is a client-side application that runs entirely in your web browser using JavaScript. The text you paste and the files you select are processed on your own computer and are never sent to or stored on our servers, ensuring your data remains completely private.