Base64 Encoder/Decoder — Free Online Tool

🔐 Base64 Encoder/Decoder

Base64 is a way of representing binary or text data using only 64 printable ASCII characters, which makes it safe to embed in places that don't handle raw binary well — email attachments, data URIs, JSON payloads, API tokens and configuration files. This tool encodes plain text into Base64, or decodes a Base64 string back into readable text, instantly and entirely client-side.

It's a common utility for developers debugging API responses, inspecting JWT tokens, embedding small images as data URIs, or just checking what a Base64-encoded string actually says.

How to use the Base64 Encoder/Decoder

Choose Encode or Decode.
Paste your text (or Base64 string) into the input box.
View the converted result instantly, and copy it with one click.

How Base64 encoding works

Base64 encoding takes input data 3 bytes (24 bits) at a time and re-groups those bits into four 6-bit chunks, each mapped to one of 64 characters (A–Z, a–z, 0–9, + and /). Because 6-bit chunks can only represent 64 distinct values, this scheme avoids characters that different systems (like older email protocols) might interpret unpredictably. Padding with '=' is added when the input length isn't a multiple of 3 bytes.

Frequently asked questions

Is Base64 the same as encryption?

No — Base64 is an encoding scheme, not encryption. It has no secret key and provides no confidentiality; anyone can decode a Base64 string back to its original form instantly. It's used for safe data representation, not for hiding or securing information.

Why does encoded text end with one or two '=' signs?

The '=' characters are padding, added when the input data length isn't an exact multiple of 3 bytes, so the encoded output always forms complete 4-character groups. One '=' means the last group had 2 input bytes; two '=' means it had 1.

Does this handle Unicode text, like emoji or non-English characters?

Yes — the tool encodes the UTF-8 byte representation of your text, so Unicode characters, emoji and non-Latin scripts encode and decode correctly, not just plain ASCII.