ToolBark
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Base64 Encode / Decode

Encode text to Base64 or decode it back instantly.

About

The Base64 Encode / Decode tool converts text or binary data to and from Base64 encoding instantly. Base64 is used everywhere from embedding images in HTML and CSS to transmitting data through JSON APIs and email attachments — use this tool to encode strings before sending or decode Base64 payloads you receive from an API response.

FAQ
What is Base64 encoding used for?+

Base64 converts binary data into a safe ASCII string so it can be transmitted over channels that only handle text. Common uses include embedding image data directly in HTML or CSS as data URIs, encoding attachments in email (MIME), passing binary values in JSON APIs, and storing small binary objects in databases that expect strings.

Does Base64 make data secure or encrypted?+

No. Base64 is an encoding scheme, not encryption. Anyone who receives a Base64 string can trivially decode it back to the original data. Do not use Base64 to protect sensitive information — use proper encryption (AES, RSA, etc.) for that purpose.

What is the difference between standard Base64 and URL-safe Base64?+

Standard Base64 uses + and / characters which have special meanings in URLs and can break query strings. URL-safe Base64 replaces + with - and / with _, making the encoded string safe to include in a URL or HTTP header without percent-encoding.

Why is my decoded Base64 showing garbled text?+

This usually happens when the encoded string represents binary data (like an image or compressed file) rather than plain text. The tool decodes the bytes correctly but your browser displays non-printable binary bytes as garbled characters. For binary files you need to download the result rather than view it as text.

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