Base64 Encoder & Decoder

Convert text and files to/from Base64 format instantly. Free, secure, and works entirely in your browser.

Input

Result

Result will appear here...

Options

Why Choose Our Base64 Tool?

Instant Conversion

Real-time encoding and decoding with auto-convert mode. See results as you type without clicking any buttons.

File Support

Upload files to encode or decode Base64 data back to files. Support for images, documents, and any file type up to 20MB.

URL-Safe Encoding

Toggle URL-safe Base64 encoding for use in URLs and filenames. Automatically converts +/= characters to -_.

100% Client-Side

All processing happens in your browser. Your data never leaves your device, ensuring complete privacy and security.

Copy & Download

One-click copy to clipboard or download results as text/file. Perfect for quick workflows and automation.

Error Handling

Clear error messages when decoding fails. Automatically detects invalid Base64 strings and provides helpful guidance.

How to Use the Base64 Converter

Follow these simple steps to encode or decode Base64 strings and files

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Step 1: Choose Encode or Decode Mode

Click the 'Encode' tab to convert text or files to Base64 format. Click 'Decode' to convert Base64 strings back to readable text or downloadable files. The base64 converter switches modes instantly.

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Step 2: Input Your Data

For encoding: Type or paste text directly, or click 'Upload File' to encode images, documents, or any file. For decoding: Paste your base64 string into the input area. The base64 decoder supports strings of any length.

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Step 3: Configure Options (Optional)

Enable 'URL-Safe Base64' if you need the encoded output for URLs or filenames. Turn on 'Auto Convert' for real-time base64 encoding as you type. These options enhance your base64 conversion workflow.

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Step 4: Get Your Result

The base64 result appears instantly in the output area. Click 'Copy' to copy the base64 string to clipboard, or 'Download' to save as a file. For decoded files, the download preserves the original file format.

Understanding Base64 Converter Options

Customize your base64 encoding and decoding experience with these powerful options

URL-Safe Base64 Encoding

Standard base64 uses characters (+, /, =) that have special meaning in URLs. URL-safe base64 encoding replaces '+' with '-', '/' with '_', and removes padding '=' characters. This makes the base64 output safe for use in web URLs, query parameters, and filenames without requiring additional URL encoding. Enable this option when you need to embed base64 data in URLs or create file-safe base64 strings.

Example: Standard: SGVsbG8gV29ybGQ+Cg== URL-Safe: SGVsbG8gV29ybGQ-Cg

Auto Convert Mode

When enabled, the base64 converter processes your input automatically as you type or paste. This real-time base64 conversion is perfect for quick testing, debugging base64 strings, or when working with small amounts of data. Disable auto convert for large files or when you want to review your input before encoding or decoding. The base64 tool remembers your preference for future visits.

Example: Type 'Hello' → Instantly see 'SGVsbG8='

File Upload for Base64 Encoding

Click 'Upload File' to convert any file to base64 format. This base64 encoder supports images (PNG, JPG, GIF), documents (PDF, DOCX), and any file type up to 20MB. The base64 file converter reads the file in your browser and generates the base64 string without uploading to any server. Perfect for creating data URIs, email attachments, or API payloads.

Example: Upload image.png → Get base64 string for embedding

Download Decoded Results

When decoding base64 to files, click 'Download' to save the original file. The base64 decoder automatically detects the file type when possible. For base64 text conversions, download saves as a .txt file. This feature makes our base64 converter tool ideal for extracting files from base64-encoded data in emails, JSON responses, or databases.

Example: Decode base64 image → Download as PNG file

Common Use Cases

API Development

Encode authentication tokens, API keys, or credentials for secure transmission in HTTP headers and requests.

Email Attachments

Convert files to Base64 for embedding in emails or JSON payloads. Useful for automated email systems and APIs.

Data URIs

Create data URIs for embedding images, fonts, or files directly in HTML and CSS without external requests.

Binary Data Transfer

Encode binary data for transmission over text-based protocols like JSON, XML, or YAML configuration files.

Database Storage

Store binary files or images as Base64 text in databases that don't support binary data types natively.

Web Development

Encode SVG icons, small images, or fonts directly into CSS or JavaScript for faster page loading.

Pro Tips for Base64 Conversion

Get the most out of our Base64 tool with these expert tips

Use Auto-Convert for Quick Testing

Enable auto-convert mode to see results instantly as you type. Perfect for debugging and quick validation of Base64 strings.

URL-Safe for Web Applications

Always use URL-safe encoding when including Base64 in URLs, query parameters, or filenames to avoid encoding issues.

Mind the File Size

Remember that Base64 increases file size by ~33%. For large files, consider using direct binary transfer instead of Base64.

Copy Format Matters

When using Base64 for data URIs, include the proper prefix: data:[MIME-type];base64,[Base64-string]. This ensures browsers can interpret the data correctly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Base64 encoding?
Base64 is a binary-to-text encoding scheme that converts binary data into ASCII string format using 64 characters (A-Z, a-z, 0-9, +, /). It's commonly used to transmit binary data over text-based protocols like email, JSON, or XML.
Is my data safe when using this tool?
Yes! All encoding and decoding happens entirely in your browser using JavaScript. Your data never leaves your device or gets uploaded to any server, ensuring complete privacy and security.
What's the difference between standard and URL-safe Base64?
Standard Base64 uses +, /, and = characters which can cause issues in URLs. URL-safe Base64 replaces + with -, / with _, and removes padding = to make the string safe for use in URLs and filenames.
Can I encode files larger than text?
Yes! You can upload files up to 20MB. Images, PDFs, documents, and any file type can be encoded to Base64 or decoded back to their original format.
Why does my Base64 string fail to decode?
Decoding fails if the input contains invalid characters or incorrect padding. Base64 only accepts A-Z, a-z, 0-9, +, /, and =. Make sure there are no extra spaces, line breaks, or special characters in your input.
How do I use Base64 in web development?
Common uses include: creating data URIs (data:image/png;base64,...), embedding small images in CSS, storing binary data in JSON APIs, and encoding authentication tokens in HTTP headers.
Does Base64 encoding compress data?
No, Base64 actually increases data size by about 33% because it represents 6 bits of data using 8 bits (1 character). It's not for compression - it's for encoding binary data into text format.
Can I decode Base64 to get the original file?
Yes! When you decode Base64 that represents a file, you can download it back to its original format. Make sure the Base64 string includes proper data type information for automatic file detection.

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