Base64 Encoder / Decoder

Base64 encoding converts binary data into ASCII text using 64 safe characters: A–Z, a–z, 0–9, plus, and slash. It exists because many systems — email, JSON, URLs, XML — handle text reliably but corrupt raw binary. Base64 expands data by roughly 33% but guarantees transport through text-only channels.

Paste plain text to encode it into a Base64 string, or paste a Base64 string to recover the original content. Standard Base64 uses + and / as the final two alphabet characters; URL-safe Base64 substitutes - and _ so encoded strings work in query parameters without extra escaping. Padding equals signs (=) at the end align bit groups — some systems omit padding, and a good decoder accepts both forms.

Common applications include embedding small images in HTML/CSS as data URLs (data:image/png;base64,...), transmitting JSON web tokens, storing credentials in configuration files, and debugging API payloads that wrap binary attachments. Developers paste API responses into the decoder to inspect opaque Base64 blobs without writing scripts.

Base64 is encoding, not encryption. Anyone can decode it instantly — never treat Base64 as security. For password storage, use proper hashing via the hash generator instead. Combine with URL encoding when Base64 strings travel inside query strings alongside other parameters.

Whether you are building a data URL for inline SVG, decoding a JWT payload segment, or verifying an API's attachment field, Base64 conversion handles the encode-decode cycle in one place.