What is Base64 encoding?

Base64 is a way to represent binary data using only 64 safe text characters (A to Z, a to z, 0 to 9, plus and slash). It lets you carry bytes through systems that only handle text, such as JSON, XML, email and URLs.

How do I encode text to Base64?

Type or paste your text in the input box and click Encode. The Base64 string appears in the output box. The tool shows the original and encoded size, and you can copy the result or download it as a text file.

How do I convert a file or image to Base64?

Click Choose file and select any file, such as a PNG, JPG, PDF or font. The tool reads it in your browser and outputs the Base64 string. To use an image in HTML or CSS, put the string after data:image/png;base64, in the src or url.

Is Base64 encryption?

No. Base64 is an encoding, not encryption. Anyone can decode it in one click, so never use it to hide passwords or secrets. Use real encryption for sensitive data.

Why is the Base64 output larger than the original?

Base64 stores every 3 bytes as 4 characters, so the output is about 33 percent larger. Line breaks, if you enable wrapping, add a little more.

What is URL-safe Base64?

Standard Base64 uses plus, slash and equals signs, which have special meaning in URLs. URL-safe Base64 swaps plus for a hyphen, slash for an underscore and removes the equals padding. Tick URL-safe when the string goes into a link, a filename or a JWT style token.

What does the 76 character line wrap option do?

It inserts a line break every 76 characters, the format used by MIME email and PEM files. Leave it off for a single continuous string, which is what most APIs and data URIs expect.

Does it support Unicode, emoji and non-English text?

Yes. Text is converted to UTF-8 bytes before encoding, so accented letters, Arabic, Chinese, emoji and other symbols encode correctly and decode back to the same text.

Is my text or file uploaded to a server?

No. Encoding runs entirely in your browser. Your text and files are never sent, stored or logged, so it is safe for private content.

Is there a file size limit?

Very large files can slow or crash a browser tab, so the tool sets a maximum file size and tells you if a file is too big. For huge files use a command line tool such as base64.

How do I decode Base64 back to text or a file?

Use the Base64 decoder. Paste the string and it returns the original text, or offers a file download when the data is binary such as an image or PDF.

Is the Base64 encoder free and mobile friendly?

Yes. It is free with no sign-up and works on phones, tablets and computers.

Base64 Encoder

Encode text or upload any file and get its Base64 string instantly. Choose URL-safe output or 76 character line wrapping, then copy or download the result. Free and processed in your browser.

URL-safe (- and _ , no padding) Wrap lines at 76 characters

Or encode a fileChoose file

Text input

Base64 output

Everything runs in your browser. Your data is never uploaded to our servers.

Text and files

Encode any text or upload a file such as an image, PDF or font to get its Base64 string.

URL-safe and wrapped

Switch to URL-safe output or wrap lines at 76 characters for email and PEM formats.

Private by design

Encoding happens in your browser. Nothing is uploaded or stored.

Why use our Base64 Encoder?

Private and secure

Your text and files stay on your device. Nothing is uploaded, stored or logged.

Instant and accurate

UTF-8 safe encoding with the size before and after shown right away.

URL-safe and MIME options

Get URL-safe Base64 without padding, or 76 character wrapped lines for email.

Free forever

No sign-up and no watermark. Works on phones and computers.

Free Online Base64 Encoder for Text and Files

The DailyOnWeb Base64 encoder converts text, images, PDFs and any other file into a Base64 string in one click. Developers use it for data URIs, API payloads, email attachments, config values and tokens. The encoder is UTF-8 safe, offers URL-safe output and runs in your browser with no sign-up.

How to encode text or a file to Base64

Paste your text into the input box, or click Choose file to load a file.
Optionally tick URL-safe or Wrap at 76 characters.
Click Encode.
Copy the Base64 output or download it as a text file.

What is Base64 used for?

Data URIs: embed a small image or font directly in HTML or CSS with data:image/png;base64,....
APIs and JSON: send binary content such as a file or signature inside a text field.
Email: MIME attachments are Base64 encoded, wrapped at 76 characters per line.
Basic authentication and tokens: credentials and token parts are Base64 encoded for transport.

Standard Base64 vs URL-safe Base64

Standard Base64 includes the characters +, / and =, which can break links and query strings. The URL-safe variant uses - and _ and drops the padding, so the result can sit in a URL, a filename or a cookie without extra escaping. If you still need to place a standard string in a link, run it through URL encode.

Important to know

Base64 is not encryption and it makes data about one third larger. Do not use it to protect secrets, and avoid embedding large images as Base64 in pages because they cannot be cached separately. For photos, compress the image first to keep the string short.

More free developer tools

Reverse the process with the Base64 decoder. Working with data formats? Use the JSON formatter and the JSON to XML and CSV converter. Build links with URL encode and URL decode, generate identifiers with the UUID generator, or test your password with the password strength checker.

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Base64 Encoder

Text and files

URL-safe and wrapped

Private by design

Why use our Base64 Encoder?

Private and secure

Instant and accurate

URL-safe and MIME options

Free forever

Free Online Base64 Encoder for Text and Files

How to encode text or a file to Base64

What is Base64 used for?

Standard Base64 vs URL-safe Base64

Important to know

More free developer tools

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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