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Base64 Encode & Decode
Encode text to Base64 or decode Base64 strings back to plain text using the RFC 4648 standard alphabet. Base64 encoding converts binary data into a 64-character ASCII representation (A-Z, a-z, 0-9, +, /) commonly used for embedding images in HTML/CSS data URIs, encoding email attachments per RFC 2045, and transmitting binary data in JSON APIs. All processing is client-side.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Base64 encoding?
Base64 is a binary-to-text encoding scheme defined in RFC 4648 that represents binary data using a 64-character ASCII alphabet: A-Z (0-25), a-z (26-51), 0-9 (52-61), + (62), and / (63). Every 3 bytes of input become 4 characters of output, increasing size by approximately 33%. Padding characters (=) are appended if the input length is not divisible by 3.
When should I use Base64?
Base64 is used whenever binary data must travel through text-only channels: embedding images in HTML or CSS via data URIs (RFC 2397), encoding email attachments (MIME, RFC 2045), transmitting binary content in JSON or XML APIs, storing binary data in databases that only accept text, and encoding credentials in HTTP Basic Authentication headers (RFC 7617).
Is Base64 encryption?
No, Base64 is encoding, not encryption. It provides zero security — the encoding algorithm is publicly documented and any Base64 string can be decoded instantly without a key. Never use Base64 alone to protect sensitive data. For actual encryption, use AES-256-GCM or similar authenticated encryption algorithms.
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How to Use
- 1 Paste your text into the input field to encode, or paste a Base64 string to decode.
- 2 Click **Encode** to convert plain text to Base64 (RFC 4648), or **Decode** to convert Base64 back to text.
- 3 Copy the result to your clipboard with one click.