What is Base64 encoding and why is it used?

Base64 is a binary-to-text encoding scheme that converts binary data into ASCII text using 64 printable characters (A-Z, a-z, 0-9, +, /). It's used to safely transmit binary data over text-based protocols like email, HTTP, and JSON APIs where binary data might be corrupted or misinterpreted.

Is Base64 encoding the same as encryption?

No, Base64 encoding is NOT encryption or security. It's simply a way to represent data in text format. Anyone can easily decode Base64 text back to its original form. For security, you need actual encryption algorithms like AES, not Base64 encoding.

Why does Base64 encoded text end with equal signs?

The equal signs (=) at the end of Base64 strings are padding characters. Base64 works with groups of 3 bytes (24 bits) encoded as 4 characters. When the input doesn't divide evenly by 3, padding ensures the output length is always a multiple of 4 characters.

Can I encode special characters and emojis?

Yes! Our Base64 encoder properly handles Unicode characters including special symbols, accented characters, and emojis. It uses UTF-8 encoding internally to ensure all characters are correctly converted to Base64 format.

What happens if I try to decode invalid Base64?

The tool will detect invalid Base64 format and show an error message. Common issues include missing padding, invalid characters (only A-Z, a-z, 0-9, +, / are allowed), or corrupted strings. Check for typos or missing characters in your Base64 input.

How much larger does text become when Base64 encoded?

Base64 encoding increases the size by approximately 33%. This happens because every 3 bytes of original data becomes 4 bytes in Base64 format. For example, 'Hello World!' (12 characters) becomes 'SGVsbG8gV29ybGQh' (16 characters).

Can I use this tool for encoding images or files?

This tool is designed for text encoding/decoding. For images and files, you'd first need to convert them to text format (like reading as binary), then use Base64 encoding. Many programming languages and specialized tools handle file-to-Base64 conversion directly.

Is Base64 encoding reversible and lossless?

Yes, Base64 encoding is completely reversible and lossless. When you encode text to Base64 and then decode it back, you get exactly the original text with no data loss or corruption. This makes it perfect for data transmission and storage.

Base64 Encoder/Decoder

Encode and decode text to/from Base64 format instantly with file upload support and automatic encoding detection. Perfect for data transmission, image embedding, and API authentication with comprehensive format validation.

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How it works: Base64 encoding converts binary data (or text) into a set of 64 ASCII characters (A–Z, a–z, 0–9, +, /). Each 3 bytes of input become 4 Base64 characters. Useful for embedding data in URLs, HTML, or JSON.

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