Base64 Encoder
Encode text or data to Base64 format instantly with our free online tool.
Conversion payloads stay in this browser tab and are never placed in page URLs - see how local processing works. Privacy-safe analytics record only the tool, outcome, and a coarse input-size bucket. Press Cmd/Ctrl + Enter to convert.
How to Encode to Base64
Paste your text into the input panel and click Convert. The Base64-encoded result appears instantly. You can also upload files to encode their contents.
What is Base64?
Base64 is an encoding scheme that converts binary data to a text format using 64 printable characters (A-Z, a-z, 0-9, +, /). It's safe for transmission over text-based protocols.
When to Use Base64
Use Base64 when embedding binary data in JSON or XML, encoding data for URL parameters, embedding images in CSS or HTML, or transmitting binary data over text-only channels.
Common Use Cases
Base64 is used for data URIs in web development, encoding email attachments (MIME), API authentication tokens, and storing binary data in text databases.
Base64 Encode in Code
Every platform ships Base64 support - here's the one-liner in each:
Bash
echo -n "Hello, World!" | base64Python
import base64
base64.b64encode(b"Hello, World!").decode()JavaScript
btoa("Hello, World!") // browser
Buffer.from("Hello, World!").toString("base64") // Node.jsPowerShell
[Convert]::ToBase64String([Text.Encoding]::UTF8.GetBytes("Hello, World!"))Frequently Asked Questions
What is Base64 encoding?
Base64 is a binary-to-text encoding that represents binary data using 64 ASCII characters. It's commonly used to embed binary data in text-based formats.
Can I encode binary files?
Yes, you can upload files to encode them to Base64. This is useful for embedding images in CSS or sending files via text-based APIs.
Is Base64 encryption?
No, Base64 is encoding, not encryption. It's easily reversible and provides no security. Don't use it to hide sensitive data.
Why is Base64 output larger than input?
Base64 encoding increases data size by approximately 33% because it uses 4 characters to represent every 3 bytes of data.