Browser-only tool
Base64 encode and decode
Base64 converts binary data into text-safe characters. It is useful for transport and embedding, but it does not hide or protect the original data.
Base64 Is Not Encryption
Base64 is useful when binary data needs to travel through text-only systems. It is reversible by design, so it should never be used as a privacy or security layer.
Privacy And Limitations
Base64 conversion runs locally in your browser on this static page.
- Base64 is encoding, not encryption. Anyone can decode it.
- Invalid UTF-8 or binary data may need a file-aware encoder rather than a text-only tool.
- Encoded output is usually larger than the original input.
Related Pages
FAQ
Is Base64 secure?
No. Base64 is a reversible encoding format. It provides no secrecy.
Why does Base64 output look longer?
Base64 represents binary data using text characters, which usually increases size by about one third.
When should I use Base64 at all?
Use Base64 when binary data must travel through text-only channels, such as JSON payload fields, data URLs, or legacy transport layers.
Why does decoded output sometimes look broken?
Input may be invalid Base64, corrupted in transit, or represent binary bytes that are not valid UTF-8 text.
Does Base64 preserve original bytes exactly?
Yes. Proper Base64 encoding and decoding preserves bytes exactly, but it does not add integrity checks or encryption.