Base64 Encode & Decode
Encode text to Base64, or decode Base64 back to the original text — Unicode-safe.
About this tool
Base64 turns binary data into plain ASCII text so it can travel through systems designed for text — email, URLs, JSON, data URIs. This converter works on the UTF-8 bytes of your text, so accented letters, Japanese text and emoji encode and decode correctly (naive browser encoders famously break on those).
One warning worth repeating: Base64 is an encoding, not encryption. Anyone can decode it instantly — never use it to hide passwords or secrets.
How to use it
- Paste text (to encode) or Base64 (to decode) into the input box.
- Press the matching button and copy the result.
Frequently asked questions
Is Base64 encryption?
No. Base64 is a public encoding scheme — decoding needs no key and takes milliseconds. It makes data safe to transport, not safe from readers.
Why does Base64 end with = signs?
The padding character '=' fills the final group so the encoded length is always a multiple of four characters. One or two padding characters are normal.
Why is the output longer than the input?
Base64 carries 3 bytes of data in 4 characters, so output is about 33% larger — the price of text-safe transport.