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Base64 Encode/Decode

Quickly encode strings into Base64 or decode Base64 back to text. Pure local browser processing.

Input

Result

What is Base64 Encoding?

Base64 is a group of binary-to-text encoding schemes that represent binary data in an ASCII string format by translating it into a radix-64 representation. The term Base64 originates from a specific MIME content transfer encoding. Each Base64 digit represents exactly 6 bits of data. Three 8-bit bytes (i.e., a total of 24 bits) can therefore be represented by four 6-bit Base64 digits.

How to use the Base64 Encode/Decode Tool?

1. Encode: Paste the plain text you want to encode into the input box, click the "Base64 Encode" button, and the encoded Base64 string will instantly appear in the result box on the right.

2. Decode: Paste the Base64 string you want to decode into the input box, click the "Base64 Decode" button, and the original text will be restored. If the string is invalid, an error message will be displayed.

Common Use Cases for Base64

  • Email Transmission: Email systems originally only supported ASCII characters. Base64 encoding allows non-ASCII characters and binary files (like attachments) to be safely transmitted.
  • Embedding Images in Web Pages: Front-end developers often use Base64 to embed small images directly into HTML or CSS files (Data URI scheme) to reduce HTTP requests and speed up page loading.
  • Simple Data Obfuscation: While not encryption, Base64 can obfuscate data to prevent it from being easily read by the naked eye (e.g., passing parameters in URLs).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is Base64 an encryption algorithm?

No. Base64 is merely an encoding scheme. Anyone can easily decode it. It provides no security and should never be used to encrypt passwords or sensitive data.

Why does the encoded data size increase?

Because Base64 encoding converts 3 bytes of data into 4 bytes, the encoded data is typically about 33% larger than the original data.

Does this tool upload my data to a server?

Absolutely not. This tool runs entirely locally in your browser using JavaScript. Your input and output never leave your device, ensuring 100% privacy and security.