Base64 Encoder
What is Base64 Encoding?
Base64 encoding converts text or binary data into a string of 64 printable ASCII characters. The resulting string is safe to embed in JSON, HTML, XML, URLs, and email without special escaping. Common use cases include embedding images as data URIs in CSS or HTML, encoding binary payloads in REST APIs, storing credentials in HTTP Authorization headers (e.g. Basic Auth), and representing binary data inside JWT tokens. The encoded output is about 33% larger than the original input.
How to Use the Base64 Encoder
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Type or paste the text you want to encode into the input box.
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Toggle "URL-safe" to replace + with - and / with _, making the output safe for use in URLs and filenames.
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Toggle "Remove padding" to strip trailing = characters if your target system doesn't require them.
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Click the "Encode" button โ the Base64 result appears instantly.
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Copy the encoded string from the output box and use it in your application.
This free Base64 encoder runs entirely in your browser โ your data is never sent to any server. Supports standard Base64 (RFC 4648) and URL-safe Base64 with optional padding removal. Ideal for developers building APIs, crafting Authorization headers, or embedding assets in HTML.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Base64 encoding the same as encryption? No. Base64 is an encoding format, not encryption. Anyone can decode a Base64 string without any key. Never use Base64 to protect sensitive data โ use proper encryption algorithms like AES for that.
Why does Base64 encoded output end with = or ==? Base64 encodes 3 bytes at a time into 4 characters. When the input length isn't a multiple of 3, = padding characters are added to make the output length a multiple of 4. Some systems don't require this padding, so you can optionally remove it.
What is URL-safe Base64? Standard Base64 uses + and / which have special meaning in URLs. URL-safe Base64 (RFC 4648 ยง5) replaces + with - and / with _, so the string can be included in a URL query parameter or path segment without percent-encoding.
How much larger is Base64 output compared to the original? Base64 encoded output is approximately 33% larger than the original input, because every 3 bytes of input become 4 characters of output.
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