What is Base64?
Base64 is a binary-to-text encoding that represents binary data using 64 ASCII characters (A-Z, a-z, 0-9, + and /). It lets binary content like images or files travel safely through text-only systems such as JSON, email and data URIs, at the cost of being about 33% larger.
Base64 takes three bytes (24 bits) of input and encodes them as four 6-bit characters, padding with = when needed. It is encoding, not encryption — anyone can decode it, so it provides no security.
Common uses: embedding images in HTML/CSS (data URIs), attaching files in email (MIME), and carrying binary payloads inside JSON or URLs (with a URL-safe variant).
Base64 tools
Base64 Encoder & Decoder
Encode and decode Base64 text or files. Supports standard and URL-safe variants. Free, no signup.
Open toolBase-N Encoder & Decoder
Encode and decode Base16, Base32 (RFC 4648), Base32 Crockford, Base85 (ASCII85), and Base91 in your browser.
Open toolURL Encoder & Decoder
Encode and decode URLs and query string parameters. Percent-encoding for safe transmission.
Open toolUTF-8 Converter
Convert text to UTF-8 hex bytes, decimal bytes, \xAB or \u{HEX} escape sequences — and back.
Open toolFrequently asked questions
Is Base64 encryption?
No. Base64 is reversible encoding with no key — it offers zero security. It only makes binary data safe to transport as text.
Why is Base64 larger than the original?
It encodes 3 bytes as 4 characters, so the output is about 33% bigger than the input.