What is a Base64 decode / encode tool?

Base64 is a binary-to-text encoding from RFC 4648. A Base64 decode tool turns encoded text back into bytes or UTF-8 strings; encode does the reverse. This Base64 decode encode page also handles files, images, base64url, and data URIs in your browser.

Is Base64 encryption?

No. Encoding is not encryption. Anyone can Base64 decode a string. It only makes binary safe for text channels (email MIME, JSON, URLs) and adds about 33% size overhead.

The base64url variant replaces + and / with - and _ and often omits = padding so values are safer in URLs and filenames. Use Base64 decode URL mode when your token uses that alphabet.

Can I Base64 decode a file, image, or PDF?

Yes. Paste a Base64 decode string, data URI, or upload a file. Image Base64 decode and Base64 decode to PDF workflows run locally—download the restored file without uploading it to a server.

How do Python, Linux, macOS, and PowerShell decode Base64?

Common commands include Python base64.b64decode, Linux/macOS base64 -d, bash Base64 decode pipelines, PowerShell FromBase64String, and Windows certutil -decode. This online Base64 decode tool is for quick checks without the command line.

How do browsers encode UTF-8 text?

Browser btoa()/atob() work on binary strings. This tool UTF-8–encodes text first (similar to TextEncoder / Buffer.from) so non-ASCII characters encode and decode correctly.

Developer tools

Base64 Encoder & Decoder

Encode and decode Base64 strings, files, and images instantly.

Supports base64url and data URIs. Everything runs locally — your data stays in the browser.

Base64 is encoding, not encryption.

Wrap encode output as data URIEncode file / image

Input text

Base64 output

TGl2ZVRlY2hIYWNrcyBCYXNlNjQgZGVtbyDigJQgaGVsbG8sINiv2YbbjNinIQ==

46 B → about 64 B encoded (~33% overhead)

Command snippets

Python, bash/Linux base64 -d, PowerShell, and Node Buffer.from examples.

JavaScript

btoa(unescape(encodeURIComponent("Hello")))
atob("SGVsbG8=")
Buffer.from("Hello").toString("base64") // Node

Python

import base64
base64.b64encode(b"Hello").decode()
base64.b64decode("SGVsbG8=")

Linux / macOS

echo -n 'Hello' | base64
echo 'SGVsbG8=' | base64 -d

PowerShell

[Convert]::ToBase64String([Text.Encoding]::UTF8.GetBytes("Hello"))
[Text.Encoding]::UTF8.GetString([Convert]::FromBase64String("SGVsbG8="))

What Is Base64 Encode & Decode?

Base64 is a binary-to-text encoding defined in RFC 4648. It packs every three bytes into four ASCII characters using 6-bit groups, with = padding when needed. A Base64 decode tool reverses that mapping; encode builds it. MIME email, JSON APIs, and data URIs rely on it heavily.

Encoding is not encryption. Anyone can decode the string. Expect about 33% size overhead versus the original bytes.

base64url and Data URIs

The base64url variant swaps +// for -/_ and often drops padding so values survive in URLs. Data URIs embed Base64 after data:<mime>;base64,—useful for image Base64 decode previews and small assets.

data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUg...

Files, Images, and PDFs

Upload a file to encode it, or paste Base64 (including a data URI) to decode and download. Image and PDF signatures are sniffed when possible so Base64 decode to PDF / image workflows restore the right extension.

Python, Linux, macOS, PowerShell, and Node

Developers often use Python base64.b64decode, Linux/macOS base64 -d, bash pipelines, PowerShell FromBase64String, Windows certutil -decode, browser btoa/atob, and Node Buffer.from. This online Base64 decode tool is for quick UTF-8–safe checks without opening a terminal.

Base64 Encode & Decode FAQs

What is a Base64 decode / encode tool?: Base64 is a binary-to-text encoding from RFC 4648. A Base64 decode tool turns encoded text back into bytes or UTF-8 strings; encode does the reverse. This Base64 decode encode page also handles files, images, base64url, and data URIs in your browser.
Is Base64 encryption?: No. Encoding is not encryption. Anyone can Base64 decode a string. It only makes binary safe for text channels (email MIME, JSON, URLs) and adds about 33% size overhead.
What is base64url?: The base64url variant replaces + and / with - and _ and often omits = padding so values are safer in URLs and filenames. Use Base64 decode URL mode when your token uses that alphabet.
Can I Base64 decode a file, image, or PDF?: Yes. Paste a Base64 decode string, data URI, or upload a file. Image Base64 decode and Base64 decode to PDF workflows run locally—download the restored file without uploading it to a server.
How do Python, Linux, macOS, and PowerShell decode Base64?: Common commands include Python base64.b64decode, Linux/macOS base64 -d, bash Base64 decode pipelines, PowerShell FromBase64String, and Windows certutil -decode. This online Base64 decode tool is for quick checks without the command line.
How do browsers encode UTF-8 text?: Browser btoa()/atob() work on binary strings. This tool UTF-8–encodes text first (similar to TextEncoder / Buffer.from) so non-ASCII characters encode and decode correctly.

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Base64 Encoder & Decoder

Command snippets

What Is Base64 Encode & Decode?

base64url and Data URIs

Files, Images, and PDFs

Python, Linux, macOS, PowerShell, and Node

Base64 Encode & Decode FAQs

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