What is Base64 encoding?

Base64 is a binary-to-text encoding scheme that represents binary data using 64 printable ASCII characters (A-Z, a-z, 0-9, +, /). It is commonly used to encode binary data — such as images or files — for transmission over text-based protocols like email or HTTP, and to embed data directly in JSON, XML, HTML, or CSS.

What is the difference between Base64 and URL-safe Base64?

Standard Base64 uses + and / characters which have special meaning in URLs and can cause issues when used in query strings or paths. URL-safe Base64 replaces + with - and / with _, making the output safe to use directly in URLs without percent-encoding. Both are equivalent — just use URL-safe when the encoded string will appear in a URL.

Does Base64 encoding encrypt my data?

No. Base64 is encoding, not encryption. Anyone who has the Base64 string can decode it back to the original data instantly. Do not use Base64 to protect sensitive information — use proper encryption for that. Base64 is used for data transport and formatting, not security.

Can I encode files to Base64?

Yes. This tool allows you to upload any file and convert it to a Base64 string. This is useful for embedding images in CSS (data URIs), attaching files in JSON APIs, or storing binary data in text-based formats. Be aware that Base64 encoding increases file size by approximately 33%.

Is my data sent to a server?

No. All encoding and decoding happens entirely in your browser using JavaScript. Your data never leaves your device. This makes it safe to use with sensitive content.