Base64 Encoder and Decoder
Encode text to Base64, or decode Base64 back to plain text — both directions update automatically as you type.
How to use the Base64 tool
- Type in the "Plain text" field to see the Base64 code automatically.
- Or paste Base64 into the other field to decode it back to plain text.
- Both fields update each other live — change one, and the other follows.
What is Base64?
Base64 is a way of representing binary data (or text) as a string of 64 safe characters (A–Z, a–z, 0–9, "+" and "/"). It's widely used to embed images directly in HTML/CSS, send attachments in email, and transfer data in contexts that don't reliably handle raw binary data (like URLs or JSON).
Base64 is not encryption — it doesn't hide the content, it just re-encodes it into a different character set. Anyone can decode a Base64 string back to the original without any key.
Frequently asked questions
Is Base64 a form of encryption?
No. Base64 is only a re-encoding, not encryption — anyone can decode it back to the original text without a password or key.
Does it work with non-ASCII characters like emoji or accented letters?
Yes. The tool handles UTF-8 encoding correctly, so accented letters, emoji, and other special characters encode and decode correctly.
Why is the Base64 text longer than the original?
Base64 uses 4 characters to represent every 3 bytes of raw data, giving an increase of roughly 33% in length — the price of using only safe, text-friendly characters.