Encode or decode Base64 instantly. Supports plain text and files (images, PDFs, any binary). 100% private — all conversion happens in your browser, nothing is uploaded.
Plain Text 0 chars
Base64 Output 0 chars
Base64 Input 0 chars
Decoded Output 0 chars
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Images, PDFs, any file type · Converts to Base64 data URI
Base64 Data URI 0 chars
—Original Size
—Base64 Size
—Overhead
How to Use This Tool
1
Choose your mode
Encode for text→Base64. Decode for Base64→text. File to Base64 for images, PDFs, or any file.
2
Input your data
Type/paste text, or drag-drop a file. Conversion happens instantly as you type or upload.
3
Copy the result
Click Copy to get the Base64 string or decoded text. Files give a ready-to-use data URI.
🔒100% private — your data never leaves your browser. No file upload to any server, no logging. Safe for confidential documents and images.
Base64 is a binary-to-text encoding scheme that represents binary data using 64 printable ASCII characters: A-Z, a-z, 0-9, plus (+) and slash (/). It was designed to safely transmit binary data through systems that only reliably handle text — like email (MIME), URLs, and JSON.
The encoding works by taking 3 bytes (24 bits) of binary data and re-representing them as 4 Base64 characters (4 × 6 bits = 24 bits). This is why Base64-encoded data is approximately 33% larger than the original — the structural overhead trades file size for universal text compatibility.
💡Common data URI format: data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgo... — this lets you embed an entire image directly inside HTML or CSS without a separate file request.
Common Use Cases for Base64
Use Case
Why Base64
Embedding small icons in CSS
Reduces HTTP requests for tiny images
Sending images via JSON API
JSON only supports text, not raw binary
Email attachments (MIME)
SMTP was originally designed for 7-bit ASCII text
HTTP Basic Authentication
Encodes username:password in the Authorization header
Storing files in databases
Text columns can store Base64 instead of BLOB
Embedding fonts in CSS
@font-face with data URI avoids separate font file requests
Base64 Is Not Encryption — Important Security Note
⚠️Critical: Base64 is encoding, not encryption. It provides zero confidentiality. Anyone can decode a Base64 string instantly using this tool or a single line of code. Never use Base64 to "hide" passwords, API keys, tokens, or any sensitive data.
A common mistake is Base64-encoding a password or API key and assuming it's now "secure." It is not — Base64 is fully reversible with zero computational cost. For actual security: use proper encryption (AES-256) for data you need to decrypt later, or hashing (bcrypt, Argon2) for passwords you never need to decrypt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Base64 is a binary-to-text encoding scheme representing binary data using 64 printable ASCII characters (A-Z, a-z, 0-9, +, /). It safely transmits binary data through text-based protocols like email, JSON APIs, and URLs that may not handle raw binary correctly.
Base64 increases data size by approximately 33% because every 3 bytes of binary data becomes 4 ASCII characters. A 1MB image becomes roughly 1.37MB when Base64 encoded. This overhead is the cost of making binary data safely transmittable through text-only channels.
No. Base64 is encoding, not encryption — it provides zero security. Anyone can decode Base64 instantly. Never use it to protect passwords, API keys, or sensitive data. For security, use proper encryption (AES) or password hashing (bcrypt).
Use Base64 for small icons embedded in CSS/HTML to reduce HTTP requests, sending images through JSON APIs, or storing images as text in databases. Avoid it for large images (>10KB) on websites — the 33% size increase and loss of browser caching outweigh the benefit.
Yes. All encoding/decoding happens locally in your browser using JavaScript's built-in btoa/atob and FileReader APIs. No file or text is uploaded to any server. Safe for confidential documents, private images, or any sensitive data.
Base64 converts binary data to text using a 64-character alphabet, primarily for images and files. URL encoding (percent-encoding) converts special characters in URLs to %XX format, primarily for text in URLs. They serve different purposes and aren't interchangeable — Base64 output can itself need URL encoding if placed in a URL (since + and / have special meaning there).
📅 June 2026 · Written by the ToolLoom Team · Reviewed for accuracy June 2026 About ToolLoom: Uses native browser btoa/atob and FileReader APIs — no external libraries, no server processing. Found an error? Email contact@toolloom.in