Free Base64 Encode & Decode Tool Online

Use this free Base64 tool to encode text or files into Base64, or decode Base64 strings back into readable text — instantly, right in your browser. Useful for developers embedding data in code, debugging API payloads, or working with data URIs, with no sign-up or software install required.

Encode

Decode

Text to encode

or convert a file:

Result

What is Base64 encoding and why it matters

Base64 is a way of representing binary data — like images, files, or raw bytes — as plain text made up of letters, numbers, and a few symbols. This matters because many systems, like email, JSON, XML, and URLs, are only designed to safely handle text, not raw binary data. Encoding data to Base64 lets you embed images directly in CSS or HTML, send binary data inside JSON APIs, or store data in text-only fields, without it getting corrupted along the way.

How this tool works

In Encode mode, this tool takes text you type (or a file you upload) and converts it into a Base64 string using your browser's built-in encoding functions — no data is sent to a server. In Decode mode, it takes a Base64 string and converts it back into its original readable text. All conversion happens instantly and locally on your device.

Common searches this tool answers

How do I encode text to Base64 online?
How do I decode a Base64 string back to text?
How do I convert a file to Base64?
What is Base64 encoding used for?
How do I convert an image to a Base64 data URI?

How to use it

Choose the Encode or Decode tab depending on what you need.
Type or paste your text into the input box, or upload a file (encode mode only).
Click the Encode or Decode button.
Copy the result from the output box using the "Copy Result" button.

Tips

When decoding, make sure you paste the complete Base64 string — a truncated string will fail to decode.
File encoding works for any file type, including images, PDFs, and documents — useful for creating data URIs.
Base64-encoded data is roughly 33% larger than the original data, so it's meant for compatibility, not compression.
Base64 is not encryption — anyone can decode it back to the original data, so don't use it to hide sensitive information.

Frequently asked questions

Is this Base64 tool free to use?
Yes. It is completely free, works in your browser, and does not require any sign-up or download.

Is Base64 the same as encryption?
No. Base64 is an encoding format, not encryption. It makes binary data safe to handle as text, but anyone can decode it back to the original — it provides no security or confidentiality.

Can I convert a file to Base64, not just text?
Yes. Use the file upload option in Encode mode to convert any file into a Base64 string.

Why did my decode attempt fail?
This usually means the pasted text isn't valid Base64 — check for missing characters, extra spaces, or an incomplete copy-paste.

Is my data uploaded anywhere?
No. All encoding and decoding happens locally in your browser using built-in JavaScript functions; nothing is sent to a server.

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