Base64 Encoder & Decoder
Encode text to Base64 or decode a Base64 string back to plain text, instantly.
Encode or decode Base64, instantly
Switch between Encode and Decode, paste your text, and the result updates live — no need to click a button. Base64 is commonly used for embedding images in CSS/HTML as data URIs, encoding authentication tokens and API keys, and safely transmitting binary data through text-based protocols like email (MIME).
Base64 is encoding, not security
It's worth repeating: Base64 provides zero confidentiality. It's reversible by anyone with no key required, exactly like this tool demonstrates. If you see a password, token, or secret encoded in Base64 somewhere (like a JWT payload), treat it as plainly readable, not protected.
Frequently asked questions
What is Base64 actually for?
Base64 turns arbitrary binary or text data into a string using only 64 safe, printable characters (A-Z, a-z, 0-9, +, /). It's used to embed data — like an image or an authentication token — inside text-only formats such as JSON, HTML, XML, or an HTTP header, where raw binary data isn't safe to include directly.
Is Base64 the same thing as encryption?
No — Base64 is encoding, not encryption. It has no secret key, and anyone can decode it back to the original text instantly, including with this exact tool. Never use Base64 alone to protect sensitive data; use real encryption for that.
Why did decoding fail with an error?
The text you pasted isn't valid Base64 — it likely contains characters outside the Base64 alphabet, has been truncated, or has incorrect padding (missing trailing = characters). Double-check you copied the entire encoded string.
Does this handle non-English text and emoji correctly?
Yes — the encoder first converts your text to UTF-8 bytes before Base64-encoding, so accented characters, non-Latin scripts, and emoji round-trip correctly through encode and decode.