How do I convert Base32 back to a file?

Paste the Base32-encoded string into the input field. The tool will automatically decode it to binary data. Then, enter the filename with the correct file extension (e.g., "image.png", "document.pdf", "archive.zip") and click Download. The browser will save the decoded file to your downloads folder. The file will be byte-for-byte identical to the original file that was encoded. Make sure you paste the complete Base32 string including any padding (equals signs) at the end, as missing characters will result in a corrupted or incomplete file.

Why do I need to specify a filename?

Base32 encoding only preserves the binary data, not the filename or file type metadata. When you decode Base32 to a file, you must manually specify the filename and extension because the decoder has no way to know what the original filename was. The file extension is crucial—it tells your operating system and applications what type of file it is. For example, use ".png" for images, ".pdf" for PDFs, ".zip" for archives, ".mp3" for audio, etc. If you use the wrong extension, the file may not open correctly. If you do not remember the original filename, use a descriptive name with the correct extension based on what type of file was encoded.

What happens if I use the wrong file extension?

Using the wrong file extension will not corrupt the data—the decoded bytes are still correct—but it may prevent applications from opening the file. For example, if you decode a PNG image but save it as "file.pdf", image viewers will not recognize it as an image, and PDF readers will fail to open it. The solution is to rename the file with the correct extension. Most operating systems allow you to rename files and change extensions. If you are unsure of the original file type, try common extensions like .txt for text, .jpg or .png for images, .pdf for documents, .zip for archives. Some advanced tools can detect file types from binary signatures, but it is easier to remember or note the original file extension when encoding.

Can I decode Base32 to get images back?

Yes! If you encoded an image (JPG, PNG, GIF, WebP, etc.) to Base32, you can decode it back to the original image file. Paste the Base32 string, enter a filename with the correct image extension (e.g., "photo.jpg", "logo.png"), and download the file. The tool even shows a preview of the decoded image if you specify an image extension, so you can verify the image decoded correctly before downloading. The decoded image will be pixel-perfect identical to the original with the same resolution, quality, and file size. This works for all image formats including animated GIFs, transparent PNGs, and high-resolution photos.

Is my Base32 string corrupted if decoding fails?

Decoding fails for several reasons: invalid characters in the Base32 string (only A-Z, 2-7, and padding equals signs are valid), incomplete or truncated Base32 string (missing characters at the end), whitespace or formatting issues (though most are automatically removed), or mixing Base32 with Base64 characters (Base64 uses different characters). The tool will show an error message identifying invalid characters if present. If you copied the Base32 string from somewhere, make sure you copied the entire string without truncation. Remove any extra spaces, line breaks, or formatting. If the string is valid but produces a corrupted file, the encoding may have been incomplete or the wrong file extension was used during download.

How large can the Base32 string be?

There is no hard limit on Base32 string length, but browser memory limits apply. Base32 strings representing small files (under 10 MB) decode instantly. Medium files (10-100 MB of Base32, about 6-60 MB original file size) work fine on most devices. Very large files (over 100 MB of Base32 text) may work but could cause browser slowdowns or out-of-memory errors, especially on mobile devices. If you need to decode huge Base32 strings, use a desktop browser with plenty of RAM. For files over 1 GB, consider decoding in chunks or using command-line tools instead of browser-based decoders.

Can I decode password-protected files from Base32?

Yes, but the password protection remains intact. If the original file was password-protected (like a password-protected ZIP or encrypted PDF), the Base32 encoding preserves the encrypted binary data. When you decode the Base32 string back to a file, you get the original encrypted file, and you will still need the password to open it. Base32 encoding and decoding do not bypass, remove, or break encryption—they simply convert binary data to text and back. The file security is maintained throughout the process. After decoding, use the same password that was used to protect the original file.

Why does my decoded file have a different size than expected?

The decoded file size should match the original file exactly. If it differs, several issues may have occurred: the Base32 string was truncated or incomplete (missing characters at the end reduces file size), extra characters were added to the Base32 string (increases file size and corrupts data), wrong padding (missing or extra equals signs can affect decoding), or the encoding was done incorrectly in the first place. Check that you copied the complete Base32 string. A single missing character can result in lost bytes. Compare the file size shown by the decoder before downloading—it should match the original file size you expect.

Is my data safe when using this decoder?

Yes, completely safe! All Base32 decoding happens entirely in your browser using JavaScript. The Base32 string is never uploaded to any server, never transmitted over the internet, and processing happens purely on your device. Once you close or refresh the page, all data is immediately cleared from browser memory. This client-side approach ensures complete privacy—even the most sensitive files (encrypted documents, personal photos, proprietary data) can be safely decoded without leaving your device. However, remember that anyone with the Base32 string can decode it to your original file, so keep Base32-encoded sensitive data secure.

What if I lost the original filename?

If you do not remember the original filename or extension, you can still decode the Base32 and download the file, but you will need to guess the file type. Try common extensions based on context: .jpg, .png, .gif for images; .pdf, .docx, .txt for documents; .zip, .rar for archives; .mp3, .wav for audio; .mp4, .avi for video. After downloading, try opening the file with different applications to determine its type. On Windows, you can examine the file in a hex editor to look for file signatures (magic bytes) that identify the file type. On macOS/Linux, use the "file" command to detect file types. Some online tools can also identify file types from binary data. Once identified, rename the file with the correct extension.

Base32 to File Decoder Online

Decode Base32 strings back to original files instantly. Convert Base32 to images, PDFs, documents, or any file type. 100% free, secure, and works in your browser.

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