Base64 Encoder/Decoder
Convert text to and from Base64 encoding in real-time. Fast, secure, and easy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Base64 encoding?
Base64 is a binary-to-text encoding scheme that represents binary data in an ASCII string format by translating it into a radix-64 representation. It's commonly used to transmit data over media that only support text.
Why is Base64 encoding used?
Base64 is used to encode binary data when it needs to be stored or transferred over media designed to deal with textual data. This ensures the data remains intact without modification during transport, for example, in email attachments (MIME) or embedding data in XML/JSON.
Is Base64 encoding a form of encryption?
No, Base64 is an encoding scheme, not an encryption method. It is easily reversible and offers no security or confidentiality for the data. Its purpose is data representation, not protection.
How does Base64 encoding work?
Base64 encoding works by taking 3 bytes (24 bits) of binary data at a time and representing these 24 bits as 4 Base64 characters (6 bits each). If the input data is not a multiple of 3 bytes, padding characters ('=') are added.
What characters are used in Base64 encoding?
Standard Base64 encoding uses a 64-character set consisting of uppercase letters (A-Z), lowercase letters (a-z), numbers (0-9), and two symbols, typically '+' and '/'. The '=' character is used for padding.
Does Base64 encoding increase data size?
Yes, Base64 encoding increases the original data size by approximately 33%. This is because every 3 bytes of input binary data are converted into 4 ASCII characters.
Can any binary data be Base64 encoded?
Yes, any form of binary data, such as images, audio files, executables, or any byte stream, can be encoded using Base64. This makes it versatile for various data handling scenarios.