How to Encode Text and Files to Base64 Online
Base64 is a widely used encoding scheme that converts binary data into a compact, readable text format made only of ASCII characters. It was originally designed to send binary content over text-based protocols such as email, where every byte had to be printable. Today Base64 appears everywhere: embedded images inside HTML pages and CSS files, authentication tokens, and data exchanged between APIs that cannot handle raw binary.
Because Base64 is an encoding and not an encryption, anyone who receives the encoded string can decode it back into the original data. That makes it perfect for transporting and storing small payloads, but never for protecting secrets. If you need security, always pair encoding with real encryption — and keep sensitive keys out of your messages entirely.
Working with Base64 by hand is tedious and error-prone. Encoding a string manually wastes time, and pasting a corrupted Base64 value into a script produces cryptic errors. This tool removes the guesswork: paste text or drop a file, and the Base64 output appears instantly, ready to copy into your code, email or configuration.
How to Use This Tool
- Pick a tab — switch to "Text" to encode or decode plain text, or "File" to turn a file into Base64.
- Text mode — choose "Encode" to convert text into Base64, or "Decode" to turn Base64 back into readable text. The result updates as you type.
- File mode — drop a file or click to browse. The tool reads it locally and produces a data URI you can embed directly into HTML or CSS.
- Copy or download — grab the result with one click, or save it as a
.txtfile for later.
Benefits
- UTF-8 ready — Chinese, emoji and other multibyte characters encode correctly.
- Two-way — switch between encoding and decoding instantly.
- File support — turn any file into an embeddable data URI.
- 100% private — everything runs in your browser; nothing is uploaded.
- Free forever — no signup, no limits and no watermarks.