Base64 Encode/Decode
About Base64 Encode/Decode
Our free Base64 Encode/Decode tool converts text to and from Base64 instantly, with full UTF-8 support. You can also upload a file to get its Base64 data URI - handy for embedding small images or assets directly in code.
Base64 encoding is commonly used for embedding binary data in JSON, HTML, CSS, or email attachments, and for safely transmitting data over text-only protocols. Paste your input, choose encode or decode, and copy the result with one click.
How to Use the Base64 Encode/Decode Tool
- Choose whether you want to encode plain text to Base64 or decode Base64 back to readable text.
- Paste your input into the text box, or switch to the file upload option to convert an image or small file to a Base64 data URI.
- Review the output instantly as it updates.
- Copy the result with one click and paste it into your code, email client, or configuration file.
Who uses this tool: Web developers use it to inline small icons or images directly into CSS or HTML without extra HTTP requests, backend engineers use it to encode binary payloads for JSON APIs, and anyone troubleshooting an email attachment or auth token uses it to quickly decode what's actually inside a Base64 string. Support staff also use the decode side to inspect what a suspicious-looking Base64 blob in a log file or bug report actually contains, and developers building email templates use the file-upload option to generate an inline data URI for a small logo without hosting an extra image file.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Base64 encoding used for?
Base64 converts binary data (like images or files) into plain ASCII text so it can be safely embedded in places that only support text - email attachments, JSON payloads, data URIs in CSS/HTML, and API requests.
Is Base64 the same as encryption?
No - Base64 is an encoding scheme, not encryption. It's fully reversible by anyone with no key required, so it should never be used to protect sensitive data.
Why did decoding my text produce an error or garbled output?
This usually means the input wasn't valid Base64 to begin with (missing padding characters, extra whitespace, or it was never actually Base64-encoded) - double check you copied the complete encoded string.
