What Is Base64? How to Encode Text and Files

Base64 is an encoding format that represents data using 64 characters (A-Z, a-z, 0-9, +, /) so it can travel through text-only systems.

How Base64 Works

• Binary (or text) data is split into groups and mapped to 64 characters
• Output is about 33% longer than the original
• Ends with = padding when data doesn’t fill a group

Examples

Hello → SGVsbG8=

Important: Base64 Is Not Encryption

Anyone with the Base64 string can decode it back instantly — never use it for secrets.

Where It Applies

• Embedding images in HTML/CSS/email
• Sending data through APIs and URLs
• Storing small files in databases

Try the Base64 converter to encode instantly.