# Base64 Encoder / Decoder

> Encode and decode Base64 text locally in your browser, UTF-8 safe.

Canonical: https://host-tools.com/tools/base64/

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## What does this tool do?

Base64 encodes binary or text data as printable ASCII characters, which is how images, files and
credentials are embedded in URLs, JSON and emails. This tool does both directions in one place:
paste text to **encode** it, or paste Base64 to **decode** it back.

## What is Base64?

Base64 maps every 3 bytes of input to 4 characters from the 64-character alphabet
`A-Z a-z 0-9 + /`. The `=` padding at the end marks how many bytes the original data had.

## Keep in mind

Base64 is **encoding, not encryption**: anyone can decode it, so never rely on it to protect
secrets. Everything here runs locally in your browser, so your data never leaves your machine.