Frequently Asked Questions
What is Base64 encoding?
Base64 is an encoding scheme that represents binary or text data as a string of ASCII characters using 64 printable characters (A–Z, a–z, 0–9, +, /). It is commonly used to safely transmit data over systems that handle text.
When would I use Base64?
Common uses include embedding images in HTML or CSS as data URIs, encoding API tokens and credentials in HTTP headers, encoding email attachments (MIME), and storing binary data in JSON or XML.
How do I decode a Base64 string?
Paste the Base64 string into the input box and click Decode. The tool will convert it back to the original plain text. If the input is not valid Base64, an error will be shown.
Is Base64 the same as encryption?
No. Base64 is encoding, not encryption. Anyone with a Base64 decoder can read the original content. It provides no security — it is only used to ensure safe text transmission.
Does this tool handle Unicode characters?
Yes. The encoder converts the text to UTF-8 bytes before encoding, so characters outside ASCII (accented letters, emoji, CJK characters) are handled correctly.
Does this tool send my data anywhere?
No. All encoding and decoding runs entirely in your browser using the built-in btoa and atob functions with UTF-8 handling. Nothing is transmitted to any server.