Base64 Encoder/Decoder
Encode and decode text or files to Base64 format. Perfect for embedding images, encoding data, or working with APIs.
Text Encoding
Encode and decode text strings with support for UTF-8 and URL-safe formats
File Support
Upload files to encode or decode Base64 strings back to files
Secure & Private
All encoding happens in your browser - your data never leaves your device
Options
Input Text
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About Our Base64 Encoder/Decoder
Our Base64 Encoder/Decoder is a powerful and easy-to-use tool for encoding and decoding data in Base64 format. Whether you're a developer working with APIs, embedding images in HTML/CSS, or handling data transmission, this tool provides everything you need to work with Base64 encoding efficiently.
What is Base64 Encoding?
Base64 is a binary-to-text encoding scheme that represents binary data in an ASCII string format. It's designed to carry data stored in binary formats across channels that only reliably support text content. Base64 encoding is commonly used in various applications including email attachments (MIME), embedding images in HTML/CSS, storing complex data in JSON or XML, and transmitting data over media designed to handle text.
How Does Base64 Work?
Base64 encoding works by converting binary data into a set of 64 different ASCII characters (A-Z, a-z, 0-9, +, /). The encoding process takes three bytes of binary data (24 bits) and converts them into four Base64 characters. This results in an approximately 33% increase in data size, which is the trade-off for ensuring data integrity across text-based systems.
Common Use Cases
- Embedding Images: Convert images to Base64 strings for inline embedding in HTML, CSS, or JSON files, eliminating the need for separate image files.
- Data URLs: Create data URLs for images, fonts, or other resources that can be embedded directly in web pages.
- API Communication: Encode binary data for transmission through JSON APIs that only support text.
- Email Attachments: MIME email encoding uses Base64 to send binary attachments through text-based email protocols.
- Authentication: Many authentication schemes use Base64 encoding for credentials and tokens.
- Data Storage: Store binary data in text-based databases or configuration files.
Features of Our Tool
- Bidirectional Conversion: Easily switch between encoding and decoding with a single click.
- File Support: Upload files to encode them to Base64, or decode Base64 strings back to downloadable files.
- URL-Safe Encoding: Option to use URL-safe Base64 encoding that replaces + and / with - and _ for use in URLs.
- Line Wrapping: Configure line wrapping for better readability in different contexts (64, 76, or 128 characters per line).
- Real-time Processing: See results instantly as you type, with automatic encoding/decoding.
- Copy & Download: Easily copy results to clipboard or download as files.
- Client-Side Processing: All encoding and decoding happens in your browser - your data never leaves your device.
URL-Safe Base64
Standard Base64 encoding uses characters that have special meaning in URLs (+ and /). URL-safe Base64 replaces these with - and _, and removes padding (=) characters, making the encoded string safe to use in URLs, filenames, and other contexts where these characters might cause issues.
Security and Privacy
Important: Base64 is an encoding scheme, not an encryption method. It does not provide any security or privacy - encoded data can be easily decoded by anyone. Never use Base64 encoding alone to protect sensitive information. For security, use proper encryption methods like AES or RSA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Base64 encoding secure?
No, Base64 is not a security measure - it's an encoding scheme. Anyone can decode Base64 data easily. It's designed for data transmission and compatibility, not security. If you need to protect sensitive data, use proper encryption methods like AES or RSA, not Base64 encoding.
Why does Base64 make data larger?
Base64 encoding increases data size by approximately 33%. This happens because Base64 uses 4 characters to represent every 3 bytes of data. The trade-off is worth it when you need to transmit binary data through text-based systems that might corrupt binary data.
What's the difference between standard and URL-safe Base64?
Standard Base64 uses +, /, and = characters which have special meanings in URLs. URL-safe Base64 replaces + with -, / with _, and removes = padding characters. This makes the encoded string safe to use in URLs, filenames, and other contexts where these characters might cause issues.
Can I encode any type of file?
Yes! Our tool can encode any file type to Base64. However, be aware that very large files will produce very long Base64 strings. For web use, it's generally recommended to keep Base64-encoded data under 1-2 MB for performance reasons.
Is my data safe when using this tool?
Absolutely! All encoding and decoding happens entirely in your browser using JavaScript. Your data never leaves your device or gets sent to any server. This ensures complete privacy and security for your sensitive information.
What is line wrapping and when should I use it?
Line wrapping breaks long Base64 strings into multiple lines of a specified length. This is useful for readability and compatibility with systems that have line length limits. MIME email encoding typically uses 76 characters per line, while PEM certificates use 64 characters. Choose "None" if you need the Base64 string as a single continuous line.