How to use the Base64 Encode / Decode
- Type or paste text, then click “Encode” or “Decode”.
- Tick “URL-safe” to use - and _ instead of + and /.
- To encode a file or image, choose it with the file button.
What is Base64?
Base64 represents binary data using 64 safe text characters (A–Z, a–z, 0–9, + and /). It is used to embed images in HTML and CSS, send attachments in email, and store binary data in JSON or URLs. Base64 is an encoding, not encryption — anyone can decode it.
URL-safe Base64
Standard Base64 uses + and /, which have special meanings in URLs. The URL-safe variant replaces them with - and _ and usually drops the = padding. It is used in JWT tokens and web links.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Base64 output bigger than the input?
Base64 uses 4 characters for every 3 bytes, so encoded data is about 33% larger.
Does it support emoji and non-English text?
Yes. Text is converted to UTF-8 before encoding, so every language and emoji works.