Base64
Encode and decode Base64 strings
Output will appear here...
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Base64 encoding?
Base64 is a binary-to-text encoding scheme that converts binary data into ASCII characters. It uses 64 characters (A-Z, a-z, 0-9, +, /) to represent data, making it safe for transmission over text-based protocols like email or URLs.
Why use Base64 encoding?
Base64 is commonly used to embed binary data (like images) in HTML/CSS, transmit data over protocols that only support text, store complex data in JSON or XML, and encode email attachments (MIME).
Is Base64 encoding secure?
Base64 is not encryption - it's just encoding. Anyone can decode Base64 data. Never use Base64 alone to protect sensitive information. For security, use proper encryption before Base64 encoding.
Does Base64 increase file size?
Yes, Base64 encoding increases data size by approximately 33%. This is because 3 bytes of binary data become 4 characters of Base64 text. Consider this overhead when embedding large files.