Base64 Encoder and Decoder: Convert Text and Files
Need a Base64 encoder or Base64 decoder? If you've ever worked with APIs, embedded images in HTML, or sent data through text-only systems, you've encountered Base64 encoding. Our free online Base64 encoder and decoder makes it simple.
What is base64 encoding, anyway
Base64 is a method for changing binary data into regular text characters. It's like translating a language: your computer talks in binary (ones and zeros), but sometimes you need that data to go through systems that only understand text. Base64 is the language converter. You will see it all over the place.
It is used behind the scenes in email attachments. It is used in data URIs to put images in CSS. Base64-encoded credentials are often needed for API authentication headers. It works all the time in the background without making a sound.
When would you really need this? I use the Base64 encoder a lot more than I thought I would. These are the most common situations that come up: Putting images into HTML or CSS — You don't need to make an extra HTTP request if you change a small PNG or SVG to a data URI. Good for small graphics and icons.
When working with APIs, some of them want Base64-encoded payloads, especially when you're sending files or binary data through JSON. Email attachments: SMTP sends attachments as Base64 behind the scenes. You'll need to decode these if you're trying to fix email problems. Storing binary data in text fields—columns in a database that only accept text?
Base64 lets you put binary data in there without anyone knowing. How the Base64 Encoder Works There isn't anything hard about this. You get a Base64 string back when you paste your text or data into the input box and click "encode." Do you need to go the other way? Change to decode mode, paste the Base64 string, and you'll see the original text.
The tool works perfectly with UTF-8 text, which is important if you need to work with characters that aren't in English. I tried it with Japanese, Arabic, and emoji, and they all came through fine. A Quick Example If you want to encode the text "Hello, World!" in Base64, the output would be SGVsbG8sIFdvcmxkIQ==. It's normal for those equals signs at the end to be padding characters.
When you paste that encoded string back in decode mode, you get the text you started with. How to Use Base64 Well Keep in mind that Base64 encoding makes your data about 33% bigger. So it's great for text and small files, but you probably don't want to Base64-encode a 50MB video. I only use files under 10KB for images.
If they are bigger, it's better to just host them normally. Base64 is not encryption either. It's encoding. Anyone can read it.
Don't use it to keep private information safe; that's what real encryption is for. Give it a shot The Base64 encoder can do everything from encoding API credentials to turning an image into a data URI to fixing some encoded data you found in a log file. No need to sign up, no limits, and it works right in your browser.