Base64 Encoder & Decoder

Encode Text:

1. Select "Encode" tab
2. Enter or paste your text in the input area
3. Optionally enable URL-safe encoding
4. Copy or download the Base64 output

Encode Files:

1. Select "Encode" tab
2. Click the upload area and select your file (max 10MB)
3. View image preview if applicable
4. Copy the Base64 string or download as text file

Decode Base64:

1. Select "Decode" tab
2. Paste your Base64 string
3. Enable URL-safe decoding if needed
4. View decoded text or download decoded file

Data URLs for Images

Embed images directly in HTML/CSS using data URLs: data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KG...

JSON API Payloads

Send binary files through JSON APIs that only support text data

Email Attachments (MIME)

Encode file attachments for email transmission using MIME format

Configuration Storage

Store binary data in text-based config files (JSON, YAML, ENV)

JavaScript

// Encode
const text = "Hello World";
const encoded = btoa(text); // SGVsbG8gV29ybGQ=

// Decode
const decoded = atob(encoded); // Hello World

// URL-Safe Encode
const urlSafe = encoded.replace(/\+/g, '-').replace(/\//g, '_').replace(/=+$/, '');

Python

import base64

# Encode
text = "Hello World"
encoded = base64.b64encode(text.encode()).decode()

# Decode
decoded = base64.b64decode(encoded).decode()

# URL-Safe
url_safe = base64.urlsafe_b64encode(text.encode()).decode()

PHP

<?php
// Encode
$text = "Hello World";
$encoded = base64_encode($text);

// Decode
$decoded = base64_decode($encoded);
?>

What is Base64 encoding?

Base64 is a binary-to-text encoding scheme that converts binary data into ASCII text format using 64 characters (A-Z, a-z, 0-9, +, /). It's commonly used to encode images, files, or binary data for transmission over text-based protocols like HTTP, email (MIME), or JSON APIs. The encoded data is approximately 33% larger than the original.

Is Base64 encoding secure or encrypted?

No! Base64 is NOT encryption or security. It's simply an encoding method that makes binary data text-readable. Anyone can decode Base64 strings instantly. Never use Base64 to hide sensitive information like passwords or API keys. For security, use proper encryption algorithms like AES, RSA, or bcrypt.

What is URL-safe Base64 encoding?

URL-safe Base64 replaces characters that have special meaning in URLs. Standard Base64 uses + and / which can break URLs. URL-safe encoding replaces + with - (minus), / with _ (underscore), and removes padding = characters. This is essential for passing Base64 data in query parameters or URL paths.

Can I encode files to Base64?

Yes! Our tool supports uploading any file type up to 10MB. Simply click the upload area in Encode mode, select your file, and it will be converted to Base64. For images, you'll see a preview. You can then copy the Base64 string or download it as a text file for use in your code or APIs.

Why does Base64 make files larger?

Base64 encoding increases file size by approximately 33% because it represents 3 bytes of binary data using 4 ASCII characters. For example, a 100KB image becomes ~133KB when Base64-encoded. This is the trade-off for making binary data text-safe. Use Base64 only when necessary (e.g., data URLs, JSON APIs).

How do I decode a Base64 image?

Paste the Base64 string in Decode mode. If it's an image, our tool will automatically detect it and show a preview. You can download the decoded image file by clicking 'Download'. For data URLs (starting with data:image/...), remove the data URL prefix and paste only the Base64 part after the comma.