Frequently asked questions
What is Base64 encoding used for?
Base64 is used to transmit binary assets (such as images, certificates, or documents) across channels that only reliably accept plain ASCII text, such as JSON APIs, HTML Data URIs, and MIME email bodies.
Does Base64 provide encryption or security?
No. Base64 is an encoding format, not encryption. Anyone can decode a Base64 string instantly. Never use Base64 to conceal confidential passwords or API keys.
What is URL-safe Base64 (RFC 4648)?
URL-safe Base64 replaces + with - and / with _ and omits trailing = padding so encoded strings can be safely placed inside URLs and filenames.
Why does Base64 increase file size by roughly 33%?
Base64 uses 4 characters (6 bits each) to represent every 3 bytes (24 bits) of source binary data. This 4:3 ratio results in an approximate 33% increase in payload size.
Does this tool support emojis and non-English UTF-8 characters?
Yes. Our encoder and decoder uses a full UTF-8 byte stream pipeline, preserving emojis, mathematical notation, and international scripts cleanly.