Base64 Encoder
Encode text to Base64 instantly.
About Base64 Encoder
Encode text to Base64 online for free, instantly and privately. Base64 turns text or binary data into a plain ASCII string that's safe to embed in data URLs, JSON payloads, email attachments, HTML, and configuration files. This encoder handles full Unicode - emoji and non-Latin scripts are UTF-8 encoded correctly before conversion - so you never get mojibake in the output. Because everything runs in your browser, even sensitive values are never sent to a server, and you can copy the encoded result with a single click. Need to go the other way? Use the matching Base64 decoder.
How to use this tool
- 1Paste or type the text you want to encode.
- 2The Base64 output updates automatically.
- 3Click Copy to copy the encoded string.
What Base64 is (and isn't)
Base64 represents binary data using 64 printable characters (A-Z, a-z, 0-9, + and /), so it can travel safely through text-only channels like JSON, XML, email, and URLs (with the URL-safe variant). Every 3 bytes of input become 4 characters of output, so encoded data is about 33% larger than the original.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Character set | A-Z, a-z, 0-9, +, / (padding: =) |
| URL-safe variant | Replaces + with - and / with _ |
| Size overhead | +33% (4 output chars per 3 input bytes) |
| Reversible? | Yes - instantly, by anyone |
| Encryption? | No - provides zero confidentiality |
The critical point: Base64 is encoding, not encryption. It hides nothing - anyone can decode it in milliseconds. Never use it to 'protect' passwords, API keys, or personal data. Its job is safe transport of binary data through text systems, nothing more.
Frequently asked questions
What is Base64 used for?
Base64 encodes binary or text data into an ASCII string, commonly used in data URLs, email attachments, and embedding assets.
Does it support Unicode?
Yes. Text is UTF-8 encoded before conversion, so emoji and non-Latin characters work correctly.
Related guide
5 min readBase64 Explained: What It Is, What It Isn't, and When to Use It
Why Base64 exists, how the encoding actually works, why it isn't encryption, and the real-world cases where you'd use it - or shouldn't.