Base64 Encoder & Decoder
Encode normal text into Base64 format or decode Base64 strings back to readable text. Runs 100% offline for privacy.
Raw Text Input
Options
URL-Safe Base64 (RFC 4648)
0 characters
Base64 Translated Output
What is Base64 and how does it work?
Base64 is a binary-to-text encoding scheme that translates raw binary data into a set of 64 printable ASCII characters (A-Z, a-z, 0-9, +, /). It is commonly used to transfer binary files (such as images or attachments) over text-oriented mediums like email (MIME) or HTML source code.
Because Base64 maps 3 binary bytes of data into exactly 4 characters of text, the size of encoded files is roughly **33% larger** than the raw binary source. It is important to note that **Base64 is not encryption**. It is a simple formatting conversion, and anyone can decode a Base64 string instantly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is URL-Safe Base64 encoding?
Standard Base64 strings contain the characters `+` and `/`, which are reserved symbols in web URLs and can cause issues if used as parameters. **URL-Safe Base64** replaces `+` with `-` (hyphen) and `/` with `_` (underscore), and strips the trailing padding `=` characters to ensure clean URL processing.
Why does Base64 output sometimes end with '=' characters?
The equals sign (`=`) is used as a padding character. Since Base64 processes data in 3-byte chunks, if the source data has remaining 1 or 2 bytes at the end, Base64 appends one or two `=` symbols to pad the output block to a multiple of 4 characters.
Is it safe to transmit passwords in Base64?
No. Since Base64 is public and fully reversible, encoding a password or API key in Base64 provides zero security. Always use secure cryptographic hashes (like SHA-256) or encryption standards (like AES) for sensitive credentials.