How do I decode Base64 to text?

Simply paste your Base64-encoded string into the input field and the tool will automatically decode it to readable text. The decoder handles all valid Base64 characters (A-Z, a-z, 0-9, +, /) and padding (=). It supports Unicode, emojis, special characters, and multi-byte text through UTF-8 decoding. The decoding happens instantly in your browser without any server uploads, ensuring complete privacy. If the Base64 string contains invalid characters, the tool will display an error message. You can copy the decoded result to clipboard or download it as a text file.

What characters are valid in Base64?

Valid Base64 characters are uppercase letters A-Z, lowercase letters a-z, digits 0-9, plus sign (+), forward slash (/), and equals sign (=) for padding. Base64 uses a total of 64 characters plus the padding character. Any other characters (spaces, line breaks, tabs, special symbols) are technically invalid but are often automatically stripped by decoders for convenience. Some Base64 variants use different characters—URL-safe Base64 uses minus (-) and underscore (_) instead of plus and slash to avoid issues in URLs. If your decoder shows an error, check for typos or invalid characters that may have been introduced when copying the Base64 string.

Why does my Base64 decoding fail?

Decoding fails for several reasons: the Base64 string contains invalid characters not in the allowed set (A-Z, a-z, 0-9, +, /, =); the string is truncated or incomplete—even one missing character corrupts the output; incorrect padding—Base64 strings should have 0, 1, or 2 equals signs at the end, more than 2 indicates corruption; the string was modified or damaged during copy-paste; or you are trying to decode something that is not actually Base64 encoded. The tool will show an error message identifying the problem. Try removing any spaces, line breaks, or extra characters. If the string is long, make sure you copied it completely without truncation.

Can I decode Base64 to get files back?

For text files, yes—this decoder will show the text content. However, for binary files (images, PDFs, executables), you need to use the Base64 to File tool instead. This text decoder converts Base64 to text strings and displays them as readable text. If you paste a Base64-encoded image or PDF here, you will see garbled binary data, not a usable file. The Base64 to File tool properly decodes binary data and lets you download the file with the correct extension. Use this tool for decoding Base64-encoded text, JSON, XML, HTML, code, or any text-based content. Use the file decoder for images, documents, archives, and other binary files.

What is the difference between Base64 and regular text?

Regular text uses the full range of characters and can include any symbol, punctuation, or Unicode character. Base64 text only uses 64 specific characters (A-Z, a-z, 0-9, +, /) and looks like a random string of letters and numbers. Base64 is an encoding format designed to represent binary data or any text in a way that is safe for transmission through systems that only support ASCII or might corrupt special characters. When you decode Base64, you get back the original text with all its original characters, formatting, Unicode symbols, and structure. Base64 strings are typically longer than the original text because encoding adds overhead—roughly 33% larger.

Is Base64 decoding the same as decryption?

No! Base64 decoding is not decryption. Base64 is an encoding method, not encryption. Decoding reverses encoding—it is a simple, reversible transformation that anyone can perform with free tools. Encryption uses secret keys or passwords to scramble data so only authorized parties can decrypt it. Base64-encoded data is not protected or secure—anyone with the Base64 string can decode it instantly. If someone encoded a message or file in Base64, they did not encrypt it, and it provides no security. Never confuse encoding with encryption. If you need security, use proper encryption algorithms like AES or RSA, then optionally encode the encrypted result in Base64 for transmission.

Can I decode Base64 that has line breaks or spaces?

Yes! Most Base64 decoders, including this one, automatically strip whitespace characters like spaces, line breaks, tabs, and carriage returns before decoding. Base64 is often formatted with line breaks every 64 or 76 characters for readability in emails or configuration files (MIME standard). These line breaks are not part of the actual Base64 data and are ignored during decoding. You can paste Base64 with any amount of whitespace and it will decode correctly as long as the actual Base64 characters are valid. However, make sure the line breaks did not cause characters to be lost—each line should contain only valid Base64 characters.

Why does decoded Base64 sometimes show weird characters?

If the decoded output shows garbled text, question marks, or strange symbols, several issues might be at play: the Base64 string encodes binary data (like an image or PDF) rather than text—use the Base64 to File tool instead; the original text used a different character encoding than UTF-8 and special characters do not decode correctly; the Base64 string is corrupted, truncated, or contains errors; or you are missing part of the Base64 string. If you expect readable text but see gibberish, the source data was likely binary. If you see some readable text mixed with strange characters, there may be encoding issues with special characters or Unicode.

Is my data safe when using this Base64 decoder?

Yes, completely safe! All decoding happens entirely in your browser using JavaScript. Your Base64 data never leaves your device and is not uploaded to any server. The tool processes everything locally on your computer or mobile device, ensuring complete privacy. Once you close or refresh the page, all data is immediately cleared from browser memory. This client-side approach means even sensitive data like credentials, API keys, or private messages can be safely decoded without security risks. However, remember that Base64-encoded data is not encrypted—anyone with the Base64 string can decode it just as easily, so handle sensitive decoded content carefully.

What are common uses for Base64 decoding?

Common uses include: reading data URIs from HTML/CSS to understand what images or files are embedded; decoding API responses that return Base64-encoded content; extracting text or data from email attachments encoded in MIME Base64; debugging web applications that use Base64 for data transmission; decoding authentication tokens or credentials (though this highlights lack of encryption); reading configuration files that store binary data as Base64 text; recovering files from JSON or XML that cannot store binary directly; viewing the contents of Base64-encoded database fields; extracting embedded resources from single-file HTML documents; and reverse-engineering or analyzing data formats that use Base64 encoding. Any time you encounter a long string of random-looking letters and numbers, it might be Base64-encoded data.

Free Base64 Decoder Online

Decode Base64 strings back to readable text instantly. Convert Base64 encoded data to original text format. 100% free, secure, and works in your browser.

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