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Base64 Encoder/Decoder

Convert plain text to or from Base64 safely.

Text input

Enter UTF-8 text to encode locally.

Base64 outputRead-only

Conversion output appears here.

Read-only output remains selectable and can be copied manually.

Options

Operation
Base64 variant

Padding uses = characters. URL-safe output uses - and _ instead of + and /.

Base64 is encoding, not encryption.

Anyone can decode Base64 data. Do not use it to protect passwords, secrets, or private information.

Statistics

Input: 0 characters · 0 B · 0 lines

Output: 0 characters · 0 B · 0 lines

Expansion ratio: —

Base64 commonly increases byte size by about one-third; it is not compression.

What Base64 does

Base64 represents binary data with printable characters. This text-only tool encodes UTF-8 text and decodes only bytes that form valid UTF-8 text.

How to use

  1. Choose Encode or Decode.
  2. Select Standard or URL-safe Base64.
  3. Enter text or Base64 content.
  4. Copy, download, or move the result into the opposite direction.

Standard, URL-safe, and padding

Standard Base64 uses + and /. URL-safe Base64 uses - and _ for values that can safely appear in URLs. = padding completes groups of four characters; valid missing padding is restored while decoding.

Privacy and limitations

Your text stays in your browser. Nothing you enter is uploaded or automatically saved. This tool does not upload files, and decoded bytes must be valid UTF-8 text.

Frequently asked questions

Is Base64 encryption?

No. Base64 is an encoding and does not provide confidentiality.

Why does Base64 make data larger?

It represents every three bytes with four printable characters, adding roughly one-third before transport overhead.

What is URL-safe Base64?

It replaces + and / with - and _ so the value can be used safely in URL contexts.

Why does Base64 sometimes end with equals signs?

The = characters are padding that completes a final group of four characters.

Can this decode Unicode text?

Yes. It decodes Base64 bytes as strict UTF-8, including Marathi, Hindi, emoji, and accented text.

Why is my Base64 input invalid?

Check the selected variant, character alphabet, padding position, and whether whitespace handling is enabled.

Practical guide

When to use it

Use it when a text value must be represented in Base64 for an API field, data URL fragment, or debugging a known Base64 string.

Three steps

  1. Choose encode or decode and the standard or URL-safe alphabet.
  2. Paste UTF-8 text or the Base64 value.
  3. Convert, then copy the result after checking the selected variant.

Example and a common mistake

The UTF-8 text "Hello" encodes to SGVsbG8= in standard Base64.

Base64 is readable encoding, not encryption; never use it as protection for a secret.

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