Base64 Encoder & Decoder
Convert between plain text and Base64 encoded format. Ideal for encoding binary data, URL parameters, or working with APIs and web applications.
Examples:
- Hello World encoded in Base64 is
SGVsbG8gV29ybGQ= - https://example.com encoded in Base64 is
aHR0cHM6Ly9leGFtcGxlLmNvbQ== - User:Password for Basic Auth is
VXNlcjpQYXNzd29yZA== - A URL-safe Base64 example:
SGVsbG8_IEhvdyBhcmUgeW91Pw==becomesSGVsbG8_IEhvdyBhcmUgeW91Pw==
About Base64 Encoding
Base64 is a binary-to-text encoding scheme that represents binary data in an ASCII string format. It uses a set of 64 printable characters, which makes it ideal for transmitting data over media that are designed for text only.
Why Use Base64?
- Data Transfer: Safely transport binary data in text-based protocols like email or HTTP
- Embedding: Include binary data within JSON, XML, or HTML documents
- URL Parameters: Use URL-safe Base64 for encoding data in URLs
- Data Storage: Store binary data in text-based databases or document formats
- Authentication: Used in Basic Authentication and JSON Web Tokens (JWT)
How Base64 Works
Base64 encoding converts every 3 bytes of binary data into 4 characters from a 64-character alphabet:
- The standard alphabet includes A-Z, a-z, 0-9, + and /
- URL-safe Base64 replaces + with - and / with _
- The = character is used for padding when the input length is not divisible by 3
- Every 6 bits of binary data is represented as one character
Common Applications
- Web Development: Data URIs for embedding images in HTML/CSS, API authentication
- Email Systems: MIME encoding for attachments
- Cryptography: Encoding encryption keys, certificates, and signatures
- Databases: Storing binary data in text fields
- Configuration Files: Storing binary secrets in text-based config files
- Blockchain: Encoding binary data in blockchain transactions
Important Considerations
- Size Increase: Base64 encoding increases data size by approximately 33%
- Not Encryption: Base64 is an encoding method, not encryption—it doesn't secure data
- Charset Issues: Different Base64 implementations may handle non-ASCII characters differently
- Line Length: Some applications limit Base64 line length to 76 characters for compatibility
- Padding: The = characters at the end are padding and can sometimes be omitted in certain contexts
Our Base64 Encoder & Decoder tool makes it easy to convert between plain text and Base64 encoded format for all your development and data handling needs.