OmniTools360*

Base64 Encoder & Decoder

developer toolsAIR-GAPPED

Encode strings into Base64 or decode Base64 data with full UTF-8 support.

Plain Text Input:
Base64 Output:

About Base64 Encoder & Decoder

The OmniTools360 Base64 Encoder and Decoder converts plain text to Base64 and Base64 back to plain text in your browser. It supports UTF-8, so accented letters, non-Latin scripts, and emoji work correctly. Results update as you type.

How does the Base64 Encoder & Decoder work?

In encode mode, the tool turns your text into UTF-8 bytes and converts them to Base64 characters. In decode mode, it reverses the process and shows the original text. If the input is not valid Base64, it shows "Invalid Base64 string".

Explanation

Base64 takes 3 bytes (24 bits) at a time and splits them into four 6-bit groups. Each 6-bit value (0 to 63) maps to one character from A-Z, a-z, 0-9, + and /. If the last group has only 1 or 2 bytes, = signs pad the output. So Base64 output is about 33% larger than the input.

How to use the Base64 Encoder & Decoder

1

Choose the Encode to Base64 or Decode from Base64 tab.

2

Type or paste your text into the input box.

3

Read the result in the output box; it updates as you type.

4

Click Copy Output to copy the result.

Base64 Encoder & Decoder examples

Encode "hello"
hello becomes aGVsbG8=
Encode "Hello, World!"
Hello, World! becomes SGVsbG8sIFdvcmxkIQ==
Decode "Y2F0"
Y2F0 decodes to cat. Three bytes make exactly four characters, so there is no padding.

Frequently Asked Questions about Base64 Encoder & Decoder

What is Base64 encoding used for?

Base64 encoding is used to send binary or special data as plain text characters. Common uses include email attachments, data URLs for images in HTML or CSS, HTTP basic authentication headers, and storing data in JSON or XML. It makes data safe to pass through systems that only handle simple text.

Is Base64 encryption?

No, Base64 is not encryption. It is an encoding that anyone can reverse without a key or password. It only changes how data is written, not who can read it. Never use Base64 alone to protect passwords or private information; use real encryption, such as AES, for security.

Why does Base64 end with = or ==?

The = or == at the end of Base64 is padding. Base64 works on groups of 3 bytes. If the input length is not a multiple of 3, one = is added when 2 bytes remain and == is added when 1 byte remains. Padding makes the output length a multiple of 4.

Why is Base64 output bigger than the original?

Base64 output is about 33% bigger because every 3 bytes of input become 4 characters of output. Each character carries only 6 bits of data instead of 8. For example, a 3 KB input becomes about 4 KB in Base64, plus a few padding characters.

Can Base64 handle emoji and non-English characters?

Yes, this tool handles emoji and non-English characters because it converts text to UTF-8 bytes before encoding. Letters like é, ü, Chinese, Arabic, or Hindi text, and emoji all encode and decode correctly. Some simple encoders fail on these characters because they do not use UTF-8 first.