Base64 Encoder / Decoder
Encode plain text or binary files into Base64 format and decode Base64 strings back to original text.
What is Base64 Encoding & How Does It Work?
Base64 is a binary-to-text encoding scheme defined in RFC 4648. It converts binary data or non-ASCII text into a string of 64 printable ASCII characters (A-Z, a-z, 0-9, +, /). Base64 is widely used in data URIs, HTML email attachments, authorization headers, and API payloads.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Base64 encryption?
No. Base64 is an encoding format for data transport, not encryption. Anyone can decode a Base64 string back to its original raw form.
Are my strings sent to a server?
No. All Base64 conversions run locally in browser memory using native btoa() and atob() functions.
Common Use Cases for Base64 Encoding
Base64 is essential for modern web development. Common applications include embedding inline PNG/JPEG icons directly inside CSS stylesheets using Data URIs, transmitting JSON API tokens, sending binary MIME attachments in email systems, and formatting basic authentication header credentials.
Because Base64 utilizes only safe 7-bit printable ASCII characters, it eliminates the risk of binary data being corrupted or altered by legacy mail servers or network proxy filters.