Base64 Encoder & Decoder

Encode text to Base64 or decode Base64 back to text. Supports UTF-8, URL-safe mode, and file encoding.

Free online Base64 encoder and decoder. Convert text and files to Base64 and back. UTF-8 and URL-safe support. Runs entirely in your browser.

Frequently asked questions

What is Base64 encoding used for?

Base64 converts binary data into an ASCII-safe string, which makes it usable in contexts that don't handle binary well, like URLs, JSON payloads, email attachments (MIME), or embedding images directly into HTML/CSS via data URIs.

Is Base64 encryption?

No. Base64 is encoding, not encryption. Anyone can decode a Base64 string back to its original form without a key. Never use Base64 to protect sensitive data; use proper encryption (AES, RSA) instead.

What is URL-safe Base64?

Standard Base64 uses '+' and '/' characters which have special meaning in URLs. URL-safe Base64 replaces them with '-' and '_' respectively, and typically omits padding, so the string can be placed inside a URL without escaping.

Does this tool handle UTF-8 text correctly?

Yes. This encoder uses TextEncoder/TextDecoder so emojis, accented characters, Chinese, Arabic and any other UTF-8 text are encoded and decoded correctly, unlike the raw btoa() function which only handles ASCII.

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