Base64 Text Encoder / Decoder — Free
Encode any text to Base64 or decode Base64 back to readable text. Supports full UTF-8 including emojis and accented characters. Updates in real time.
Full UTF-8 support
Handles emojis, accented characters, CJK, and all Unicode — not just ASCII.
Real-time
Output updates as you type. Click Swap to reverse the operation instantly.
Fully private
Uses the browser's built-in TextEncoder and btoa/atob APIs. No server involved.
What is Base64 text encoding?
Base64 is an encoding scheme that converts any text or binary data into a string made up only of letters, numbers, and a few symbols (A-Z, a-z, 0-9, +, /). Pixvert's Base64 text tool encodes plain text into Base64, and decodes Base64 strings back into readable text, with full UTF-8 support for non-English characters, emoji, and symbols.
Base64 is used whenever binary-safe, ASCII-only text is required — embedding data in URLs, JSON payloads, email headers, or authentication tokens like Basic Auth credentials. It doesn't encrypt or compress data; it just re-encodes it into a format safe to transmit through systems that only handle plain text.
A common point of confusion is that Base64 looks like encryption, but it isn't — anyone can decode a Base64 string instantly, including with this same tool. It should never be used as a way to hide sensitive information; use proper encryption for that instead.
How to encode or decode Base64 text
- 1
Choose encode or decode — switch modes depending on whether you have plain text or a Base64 string
- 2
Paste your input — type or paste the text to encode, or the Base64 string to decode
- 3
View the result instantly — the output updates live as you type
- 4
Copy the result — copy the encoded or decoded text with one click
When to use Base64 text encoding
Basic Auth credentials
Decode the username:password string sent in an HTTP Authorization header to inspect or debug it.
Embedding data in URLs
Encode text so it can safely be included as a URL parameter without special characters causing issues.
JWT and token debugging
Decode the header and payload sections of a JSON Web Token to inspect its claims.
Email and API payloads
Encode text data that needs to travel safely through systems that only accept ASCII text.
Learning how Base64 works
Encode and decode simple strings to understand the encoding before using it in code.
Why use Pixvert's Base64 text tool?
- ✓Full Unicode support: correctly encodes and decodes UTF-8 text, including accents, emoji, and non-Latin scripts
- ✓100% local processing: your text is encoded or decoded in your browser and never sent to a server
- ✓Instant, live results: no button to click — output updates as you type
- ✓Free, no signup: use it as often as needed without an account
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Base64 encoding the same as encryption?
No. Base64 is a reversible encoding, not encryption — anyone can decode a Base64 string instantly. Never use it to hide sensitive data; use real encryption for that.
Is my text sent to a server when I encode or decode it?
No, everything happens locally in your browser using JavaScript. Nothing is transmitted or stored.
Does this tool support special characters and emoji?
Yes, the encoder and decoder handle full UTF-8 text, so accented letters, emoji, and non-Latin scripts encode and decode correctly.
Why does Base64 output look longer than my original text?
Base64 encoding increases the size of the data by approximately 33%, since it represents every 3 bytes of input as 4 ASCII characters.
What characters are used in Base64?
Standard Base64 uses A-Z, a-z, 0-9, plus "+" and "/", with "=" used for padding at the end when needed.
Can I encode an image with this tool?
This tool is for plain text. For images, use Pixvert's dedicated Image to Base64 converter, which produces a data URI.