What is Base64?

Base64 is a binary-to-text encoding scheme that converts binary data into ASCII text using 64 printable characters (A–Z, a–z, 0–9, +, /). Each group of 3 bytes (24 bits) is encoded as 4 Base64 characters. Base64 is commonly used to embed images, files, or binary data in JSON, XML, HTML, and email (MIME). It increases data size by roughly 33%. Padding characters (=) are used when input length is not a multiple of 3. Base64 is not encryption—encoded data can be decoded by anyone.