Understanding Base64
Base64 encoding converts binary data into a set of 64 ASCII characters (A-Z, a-z, 0-9, +, /). This makes it safe to transmit through systems that only handle text.
Common Use Cases
- Data URLs - Embed images directly in HTML/CSS
- API Authentication - Basic auth headers use Base64
- Email Attachments - MIME encoding uses Base64
- JSON Payloads - Embed binary data in JSON
URL-Safe Base64
Standard Base64 uses + and / which have special meaning in URLs. URL-safe Base64 replaces these with - and _ to avoid encoding issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Base64 encoding?
Base64 is a binary-to-text encoding scheme that converts binary data into ASCII characters. It's commonly used to embed images in HTML/CSS, send binary data in JSON, and encode data for URLs or email attachments.
Is Base64 encryption?
No, Base64 is encoding, not encryption. It doesn't provide any security - anyone can decode it. It's used for data transport, not protection. Use actual encryption (like AES) for sensitive data.
When should I use Base64?
Use Base64 when you need to embed binary data in text-based formats (HTML, CSS, JSON), transmit data through systems that only support text, or encode data for URLs. Common uses include inline images and API authentication tokens.
Is my data secure?
Yes! This tool runs entirely in your browser. Your data is never sent to any server - all encoding and decoding happens locally on your device.