Encode and decode Base64 locally
Base64 encoding represents bytes as printable text, which is useful when a format or interface cannot carry raw binary data directly. This tool encodes UTF-8 text or the bytes of a file, and decodes Base64 into readable UTF-8 text or a downloadable binary result.
Base64 text examples
Encode a short text value
Input
Hello
Result
SGVsbG8=
Choose Encode and Standard Base64. The equals sign is padding, not part of the original word. Case and spaces in the original input matter, and adding a newline would produce a different encoded value.
Decode a UTF-8 character
Input
Y2Fmw6k=
Result
café
Choose Decode and Standard Base64. Text is interpreted as UTF-8 rather than a legacy single-byte encoding. If the decoded bytes are not suitable for text preview, download the bytes instead of copying a garbled representation.
Use the URL-safe alphabet
Input
???
Result
Pz8_
Choose Encode and URL-safe Base64. This alphabet substitutes hyphen and underscore for plus and slash and omits padding when encoding. It is useful when a receiving format specifically asks for Base64url; it is not general URL escaping.
How to encode text or recover a file
- Choose Encode or Decode and the required alphabet. For encoding, paste text or use Open file to read the exact bytes of a local file.
- For decoding, paste Base64 text or open a text file containing it. Remove any data URL prefix before pasting the encoded portion.
- Review the result or validation error. A binary result is offered as a download because it cannot be reliably displayed in the text editor.
- Copy encoded or decoded text, or download the result. Only open a decoded file when you trust its source; encoding does not make file contents safe.
Base64 questions
Is Base64 encryption?
No. Anyone with the encoded value can decode it without a key. Base64 does not hide passwords, protect confidential data, or establish that a file is authentic. Use it for representation, not as a security measure.
Are text or file bytes uploaded?
No. Encoding, decoding, and reading selected files happen in your browser. The tool does not send their contents to MySafeInfo. It is free to use with no ads, no account, and no Data Pass requirement.
What are the file size limits?
Encoding accepts up to 10 MiB of input. Decoding accepts up to 14 MiB of encoded text and produces at most 10 MiB of decoded bytes. Base64 is larger than the original binary data, which is why the encoded-input allowance differs.
Why is my Base64 rejected or offered as a download?
Malformed characters, padding, or invalid trailing bits are rejected. Select the matching alphabet and paste only the encoded data. A successful decode may still contain binary bytes or non-UTF-8 text, so downloading preserves the exact bytes without forcing a text interpretation.
What decoding does not verify
Base64 decoding is not a malware scan, file repair service, or JWT verification tool; it only converts the encoded representation back to bytes.