Question 1

What is Base64 encoding and why is it used?

Accepted Answer

Base64 encoding converts binary data into a text-friendly format made up of 64 ASCII characters.

Developers use it to safely transmit images, files, or credentials in places that only accept text, such as email bodies, JSON payloads, or HTML and CSS files.

Question 2

When should I choose Base64 instead of keeping my data in binary?

Accepted Answer

Use Base64 when you need to embed assets directly inside markup, share content through APIs that strip binary data, or store small files in configuration values.

It adds roughly 33% overhead, so it is best for short snippets, data URIs, or debugging—not for long-term file storage.

Question 3

How do I decode a Base64 string with this tool?

Accepted Answer

Toggle the mode to Decode, paste or type your Base64 string in the input on the left, and the decoded output appears instantly on the right.

If the string is malformed you will see a blank result—double-check for whitespace, padding characters (=), or line breaks before trying again.

Question 4

Can I encode files such as images or PDFs?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Open the file in any text editor to copy its raw contents, or use a command-line tool to output the data, then paste it into the encoder to receive the Base64 string.

The generated output can be used in data URIs, CSS backgrounds, or API payloads that require a Base64 string.

Question 5

Is Base64 the same as encryption?

Accepted Answer

No. Base64 is an encoding scheme, not a security mechanism, and anyone can decode the string back to its original form.

Pair it with real encryption (such as AES or TLS) when you need to protect sensitive information.

Question 6

Is my text sent to a server when I use this Base64 encoder?

Accepted Answer

Everything happens locally in your browser, so your data never leaves your device and nothing is stored on a server.

For extra safety you can clear the inputs with the toolbar button once you finish encoding or decoding.

Base64 Encode Decode

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