How to use the Base64 Encode / Decode
- Paste text (or Base64) into the input box.
- Click “Encode” or “Decode”.
- Copy the output — or pick a file to get its Base64 / data URL.
About this tool
Base64 represents any data using only 64 safe characters (A–Z, a–z, 0–9, + and /). It’s used to put images inside HTML or CSS as data URLs, send attachments in email, and pass binary data through JSON or URLs. It is an encoding, not encryption — anyone can decode it, so never use it to hide passwords.
Many simple tools break on non-English text because the browser’s built-in btoa() only handles Latin characters. This one converts text to UTF-8 bytes first, so “नमस्ते 🙏” encodes and decodes perfectly. The URL-safe variant swaps + and / for - and _ — the form used in JWTs and web links.
Frequently asked questions
Is Base64 encryption?
No. It’s a reversible encoding anyone can decode. Use proper encryption for secrets.
Why does my decoded text look like gibberish?
The Base64 probably holds binary data such as an image or PDF, or text in a different character set. This tool decodes text as UTF-8.
What is URL-safe Base64?
A variant that uses - and _ instead of + and / and drops the = padding, so it can sit inside URLs and JWT tokens without escaping.
Why is the Base64 bigger than the original?
Base64 uses 4 characters for every 3 bytes, so it is about 33% larger.