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Base64 Encoder & Decoder

Encode and decode Base64 strings instantly. Supports Unicode. All processing happens in your browser—no data sent to any server.

Base64 to Decode

Decoded Text

Decoded text will appear here

What is Base64?

Base64 is a group of binary-to-text encoding schemes that represent binary data in an ASCII string format. It's widely used when you need to store or transfer binary data over media that only supports text—like embedding images in HTML or sending attachments in email.

How it works

  • Encode: Converts your text into Base64 format using the standard A-Z, a-z, 0-9, +, / character set.
  • Decode: Converts a valid Base64 string back to the original text.
  • Unicode: Full support for international characters and emoji via UTF-8 encoding.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Base64 encoding?
Base64 is a binary-to-text encoding scheme that converts binary data into ASCII text format. It uses 64 characters (A-Z, a-z, 0-9, +, /) to represent data, making it safe for transmission in systems that only support text.
Is my data sent to a server?
No. All encoding and decoding happens locally in your browser. Your data is never sent to any server, ensuring complete privacy and security.
Does this support Unicode and emoji?
Yes. This tool uses the modern TextEncoder/TextDecoder APIs to properly handle Unicode characters, including emoji and non-Latin scripts.
When is Base64 used?
Base64 is commonly used for encoding data in emails (MIME), embedding images in HTML/CSS (data URLs), storing binary data in JSON, and in authentication headers (Basic Auth).
Is this Base64 tool free?
Yes, this tool is completely free to use with no sign-up or limits.

What is Base64 Decoding?

Base64 decoding is the reverse of Base64 encoding. It converts an ASCII string composed of 64 printable characters (A–Z, a–z, 0–9, +, /) back into the original binary or text data. Base64 is commonly used to transmit binary data (like images, files, or certificates) over text-based channels such as email, JSON APIs, and HTML data URIs.

How Base64 Decoding Works

  • Each Base64 character represents 6 bits of data
  • Four Base64 characters decode into three bytes of binary data
  • Padding characters (=) indicate the end of the encoded data when the input length wasn't a multiple of 3
  • The decoder maps each character back to its 6-bit value and reassembles the original binary stream

Common Use Cases

  • Data URIs: Decode images embedded in HTML or CSS
  • JWT Tokens: Decode JSON Web Token payloads for debugging
  • Email Attachments: Decode MIME-encoded email content
  • API Responses: Decode binary payloads from REST APIs
  • Certificates: Decode PEM-encoded SSL/TLS certificates

Related Tools

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Base64 decoding?
Base64 decoding converts a Base64-encoded string back into its original binary or text data. It reverses the Base64 encoding process, transforming the ASCII-safe representation back to the original content.
When do I need to decode Base64?
You need to decode Base64 when receiving data that was encoded for safe transmission over text-based protocols — such as embedded images in HTML/CSS (data URIs), email attachments (MIME), API responses with binary payloads, or JWT tokens.
Is my data sent to a server?
No. All decoding happens entirely in your browser using JavaScript. Your data never leaves your device, ensuring complete privacy and security.
Does it support Unicode?
Yes. The decoder handles UTF-8 encoded Base64 strings, so international characters, emoji, and special symbols are decoded correctly.
What if my Base64 string is invalid?
The decoder detects invalid Base64 input and shows a clear error message. Common issues include missing padding characters (=), illegal characters, or corrupted data.