How to use the Base64 Encoder & Decoder
- 1. Choose a modePick Encode or Decode.
- 2. Add your inputType text, paste Base64, or pick a file to encode.
- 3. Get the outputCopy the result or download it. Binary data can be saved as a file.
What Base64 is used for
Base64 turns any data into plain letters, digits and a few symbols, so it can travel safely through systems built for text. You will see it in email attachments, images inside CSS as data URLs, HTTP Basic login headers and the three parts of a JWT.
Each group of 3 bytes becomes 4 characters, so the output is about a third larger than the input. For example, the word foobar encodes to Zm9vYmFy, and foo encodes to Zm9v. When the input does not divide evenly by 3, = signs pad the end, so f becomes Zg==.
Base64 is not encryption. Anyone can decode it in seconds, so never use it to hide a password or secret.
Unicode, files and URL-safe Base64
The browser's built-in btoa function fails on characters like ₹ or नमस्ते. This tool converts your text to UTF-8 bytes first, so every language and emoji works. The ₹ sign, for example, encodes to 4oK5.
You can also pick a file up to 10 MB to encode. It is read inside your browser and is not uploaded. When you decode something that is not text, you see the first bytes in hex and can save the result as a file.
Standard Base64 uses + and /, which have a special meaning in links. The URL-safe option uses - and _ instead and drops the padding. Decoding accepts both styles. For links, also see the URL encoder. To read a token, the JWT decoder does the work for you.
Frequently asked questions
Is Base64 secure?
No. It is an encoding, not encryption. Anyone can reverse it without a key.
Does it support Hindi and emoji?
Yes. Text is treated as UTF-8, so all Unicode characters encode and decode correctly.
Are my files uploaded?
No. Files are read and encoded in your browser and never leave your device.
Is this tool free?
Yes, it is free. We ask for your name and WhatsApp number once when you see your result, and other Uncodemy tools then open without the form.