Free Tool
Base64 Encoder & Decoder
Encode any text or file to Base64, or decode a Base64 string back to its original form. Runs entirely in your browser.
Convert a File to Base64 and Decode Base64 to File
What is Base64?
Base64 is a binary-to-text encoding scheme that represents binary data as an ASCII string. It is used to embed images in CSS, transmit binary data over text-based protocols, and store binary blobs in JSON.
Encoding vs decoding
Encoding converts raw bytes to a Base64 string. Decoding reverses that — it takes a Base64 string and returns the original bytes. This tool handles both directions.
File encoding
Upload any file to convert it to a Base64 data URI. This is useful for embedding small images directly in HTML or CSS without an extra HTTP request.
How to use
- To encode text: type or paste text into the input and the Base64 output appears instantly.
- To encode a file: click Choose File, select any file, and the Base64 data URI is generated.
- To decode: paste a Base64 string and click Decode to see the original content.
Your files and strings stay in your browser — nothing is uploaded to any server.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Base64 encryption?
- No. Base64 is an encoding scheme, not encryption. It does not protect data — anyone can decode it. Use it only for encoding, not security.
- Why does Base64 increase file size?
- Base64 encodes every 3 bytes as 4 ASCII characters, adding roughly 33% overhead. This is a known trade-off when embedding binary data in text formats.
- Can I encode any file type?
- Yes. Upload any file and this tool will generate its Base64 data URI. Large files produce very long strings — be mindful of size limits in your target context.
- Is my data sent to a server?
- No. All encoding and decoding happens in your browser using the FileReader and atob/btoa APIs.