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Base64 Encoder/Decoder

Encode and decode text to/from Base64 format. Essential tool for data transmission, email attachments, and web development.

Encode text to Base64Decode Base64 to textReal-time conversionCopy to clipboardURL-safe encodingError handling

Text to Encode

Base64 Encoded

About Base64 Encoding

Base64 is a binary-to-text encoding scheme that represents binary data in an ASCII string format. It's commonly used for encoding data in email systems, URLs, and web applications.

  • Uses 64 different ASCII characters (A-Z, a-z, 0-9, +, /)
  • Every 3 bytes of input becomes 4 characters of output
  • Uses padding (=) when input length is not divisible by 3
  • Safe for transmission over text-based protocols

How to Use the Base64 Encoder/Decoder

  1. 1Choose between Encode mode to convert text to Base64 or Decode mode for the reverse
  2. 2Paste your text (for encoding) or Base64 string (for decoding) into the input area
  3. 3The tool will automatically process your input and show the result
  4. 4Click "Copy Result" to copy the converted text to your clipboard
  5. 5Use the Swap button to quickly reverse the operation with your current output
  6. 6View encoding statistics including input/output character and byte counts

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Base64 encoding and when should I use it?

Base64 encoding converts binary data into ASCII text using 64 different characters (A-Z, a-z, 0-9, +, /). It's commonly used for encoding data in emails, embedding images in HTML/CSS, API tokens, and transmitting data over text-based protocols that don't support binary data.

Why does Base64 encoding increase the data size?

Base64 encoding increases data size by approximately 33% because it uses 4 ASCII characters to represent every 3 bytes of original data. This trade-off allows binary data to be safely transmitted over text-based systems that might corrupt binary data.

Can I encode special characters and Unicode text?

Yes, our Base64 encoder properly handles Unicode characters, emojis, and special characters by first converting them to UTF-8 encoding before applying Base64. This ensures compatibility across different systems and languages.

How do I know if a string is valid Base64?

Valid Base64 strings only contain characters A-Z, a-z, 0-9, +, and /, with optional = padding at the end. The tool automatically validates Base64 input and shows an error if the format is invalid. The length should also be divisible by 4 (after padding).

What's the difference between URL-safe and standard Base64?

Standard Base64 uses + and / characters, which have special meanings in URLs. URL-safe Base64 replaces these with - and _ characters. Our tool uses standard Base64, but you can manually replace characters if you need URL-safe encoding.

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