Free Tool
Base64 Encoder & Decoder
Encode any file to a Base64 string or decode Base64 back to its original file. Free, no sign-up required.
Convert a File to Base64 and Decode Base64 to File
What is Base64?
Base64 encodes binary data as ASCII text using 64 printable characters. It's commonly used to embed images in HTML/CSS via data URLs, transmit binary data in JSON APIs, and encode email attachments.
When to encode vs decode
Encode when you need to represent binary or binary-like data as plain text for transmission or storage. Decode when you receive a Base64 string and need the original file or content back.
File size note
Base64 encoding increases the output size by approximately 33% compared to the original binary. Keep this in mind when embedding large files.
How to use
- Click "Choose File" and select any file from your device.
- Click "Upload File" to encode the file to a Base64 string.
- Copy the result with the "Copy" button, or paste a Base64 string and click "Decode" to recover the original file.
Examples
- Simple: Encoding the text
Hello, World!producesSGVsbG8sIFdvcmxkIQ==. Paste that string back and click "Decode" to recover the original text. - Developer workflow: Embed a small icon in CSS without an external request — encode the SVG file to Base64, then use it as a
data:image/svg+xml;base64,...value in abackground-imageproperty. - Edge case: Base64 is encoding, not encryption. The output is easily decoded by anyone. Never use it to hide sensitive data — use proper encryption instead.
Encoding and decoding runs entirely in your browser — no files or data are uploaded to any server.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Base64 encoding?
- Base64 is an encoding scheme that converts binary data into ASCII text using 64 printable characters. It is commonly used to embed images in HTML/CSS, transmit binary data in JSON, and encode email attachments.
- How do I encode a file to Base64?
- Click "Choose File" to select your file, then click "Upload File". The Base64 string will appear in the textarea. Click "Copy" to copy it to your clipboard.
- How do I decode Base64 back to a file?
- Paste your Base64 string into the textarea and click "Decode". If the content is an image, a preview will be shown below.
- Is this Base64 tool free?
- Yes, the Base64 encoder and decoder is completely free with no sign-up or login required.