Base64 Encode & Decode
/base64-utilitiesEncode text to Base64 or decode Base64 back to readable text. Handles Unicode characters correctly.
Base64 encoding is everywhere — from embedding images in HTML to transmitting binary data over text-only channels. This utility encodes and decodes Base64 with correct Unicode handling, so emoji and non-Latin scripts survive the round trip. The result appears instantly as you type. Nothing is sent to a server.
Embedding a small icon as a data URI saves a round trip but costs bytes, because base64 expands input by about 33 percent, so the trade is worth it only for tiny assets. Encode the image and paste the result straight into an img src or CSS background. When the string fails to decode later, the culprits are usually line wrapping from email clients or padding stripped by a URL-safe encoder. The tool handles plain and URL-safe alphabets plus full Unicode, so the output works wherever you paste it.
Base64 is not encryption, and that misunderstanding is the root of the most common misuse: encoding a password or license key and believing it is hidden. Anyone who sees the encoded string can decode it immediately. The tool's real value is round-tripping text that older browser functions like btoa cannot handle. Accented characters, emoji, and non-Latin scripts become UTF-8 bytes, then base64, and decode back losslessly. Use it to store small tokens as printable strings or to move data through text-only channels, and keep the encryption tools for anything secret.
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about base64 encode & decode.
What is Base64?
Base64 is an ASCII-safe encoding of binary data, commonly used for data in URLs, emails, and JSON. It is an encoding, not encryption.
Does this handle Unicode characters?
Yes. The tool uses UTF-8 aware encoding and decoding, so emojis and non-Latin scripts round-trip correctly in both directions.
Why did I get an Invalid Base64 input error?
The input contained characters outside the Base64 alphabet or had incorrect padding. Check the data source and make sure the string was not truncated.
Can I switch between encode and decode quickly?
Yes. The Swap button moves the current result back into the input and flips the mode, so repeated conversions are one click apart.
Is my text uploaded anywhere?
No. Encoding and decoding use the browser's atob and btoa functions locally. Nothing is transmitted.
Is Base64 the same as encryption?
No. Base64 is trivially reversible by anyone, so never use it to protect sensitive data. It only makes binary data transportable as text.
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