---
title: "Base64 encode / decode | Austin Greco"
description: "Encode UTF-8 text as Base64 or Base64URL, and decode it back to readable text. A free tool that works entirely in your browser."
canonical: "https://austingreco.com/tools/base64-encode-decode"
last_updated: "2026-10-22T20:45:13.000Z"
---

[Tools](https://austingreco.com/tools) · Base64 encode / decode

# Base64 encode / decode

Turn text into Base64, or decode it back into readable UTF-8 text.

## How to encode or decode Base64

1.  Choose **Encode** for plain text or **Decode** for an encoded value.
2.  Select **Base64** or **Base64URL**, then paste your text into Input. Output updates as you type.
3.  Copy the result, or choose **Use output as input** to reverse the conversion. Clear removes the current input and output.

Use this for text snippets in API payloads, configuration values, and debugging encoded messages. Unicode and emoji use UTF-8: `café` becomes `Y2Fmw6k=`. Base64 is an encoding, not encryption; anyone with the value can decode it.

## About Base64 text

Base64

Uses letters, digits, `+`, and `/`, with `=` padding when needed. `Hello` becomes `SGVsbG8=`.

Base64URL

Uses `-` and `_` instead of `+` and `/` for URLs and filenames. Encoded output omits padding.

Decoding pasted text

Both formats accept padded or unpadded input. Spaces, tabs, and line breaks in encoded input are ignored. Choose the format matching your input.

Unicode, emoji, and text whitespace are preserved using UTF-8. Base64URL is useful when a value must fit in a URL or filename. This tool converts a single text value; it does not open URLs or process files. Read the [Base64 specification](https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc4648.html).

## Common decoding errors

Unexpected characters

Choose the format that matches your alphabet. Paste only the encoded value, without quotes, a data URL prefix, or percent escapes.

Length or padding

Padding belongs at the end, with at most two `=` signs. A truncated value or nonzero unused bits in its final character produces an error.

Not UTF-8 text

Valid Base64 can contain arbitrary bytes. Images, compressed data, and text in other encodings may not decode as UTF-8. Invalid bytes show an error instead of partial output.

## Privacy and related tools

Conversion runs in this page's memory. The tool does not upload your text, add it to the page URL, or save it in browser storage. Copy writes the result to your clipboard. Loading the page still requests the site's files; see the [site privacy details](https://austingreco.com/privacy).

For percent-encoded query values or path segments, use [URL encode / decode](https://austingreco.com/tools/url-encode-decode). Browse [all browser tools](https://austingreco.com/tools) for the UUID generator and validator.

Source: [Base64 encode / decode](https://austingreco.com/tools/base64-encode-decode)