BracketBase64 Encoder & Decoder
Encode text to Base64 or decode Base64 back to plain text, live as you type. Supports UTF-8. 100% client-side.
🔒 Runs entirely in your browser — no data is ever sent anywhereWhen you need Base64 encoding
Base64 shows up anywhere binary or arbitrary data has to travel through a system that only safely handles plain ASCII text — embedding a small image directly inside a CSS file or HTML page as a data: URI, reading the username:password pair inside an HTTP Basic Authorization header, decoding an email's MIME attachment, or inspecting the header and payload segments of a JWT (which use Base64URL, a close variant). If you've ever seen a long string of letters, numbers, and a few '+', '/', or '=' characters where you expected readable text, it's almost certainly Base64.
How encoding and decoding actually work
Base64 takes data 3 bytes (24 bits) at a time and re-slices those bits into four 6-bit groups, each mapped to one of 64 printable characters (A–Z, a–z, 0–9, '+', '/') — hence the name. That's why encoded output is always roughly 4/3 the length of the input, and why it's padded with '=' characters when the input length isn't a multiple of 3. This tool encodes your text as UTF-8 bytes first, so accented letters, symbols, and emoji round-trip correctly rather than being mangled — a common bug in older tools that assumed plain ASCII input.
Frequently asked questions
What is Base64 encoding actually used for?
Base64 converts binary or text data into a safe set of ASCII characters, commonly used for embedding images in CSS/HTML, encoding data in URLs, email attachments (MIME), and JWT tokens.
Is Base64 the same as encryption?
No — Base64 is encoding, not encryption. It provides zero security or confidentiality; anyone can decode it instantly. Never use Base64 alone to protect sensitive data.
Does this tool support non-English characters?
Yes. Text is encoded as UTF-8 bytes before Base64 conversion, so accented characters, emoji, and non-Latin scripts round-trip correctly.
Related Encoding tools
Bracketly is free and open-source. If this tool saved you time, consider supporting it.
☕ Buy me a coffee