What is Base64 and when do I actually use it?

Base64 is an encoding scheme that converts binary data into ASCII text so it can travel safely over text-only protocols. Real-world uses Pakistani developers hit daily: embedding small images in HTML / CSS as data URLs, encoding credentials for HTTP Basic Authentication headers, sending images / PDFs inside JSON API payloads (common in JazzCash / Easypaisa webhooks and FBR e-invoice responses), decoding email attachments from raw .eml files and reading JWT token middle segments.

Is Base64 encryption? Can I use it to hide passwords?

No. Base64 is encoding, not encryption. Anyone can decode a Base64 string back to the original in a second, there is no key, no secret. Never use Base64 to hide passwords, API keys, CNIC numbers, bank details or any sensitive information. For real protection use proper encryption (AES, RSA) plus HTTPS for transport.

How do I decode a JWT token (JSON Web Token)?

A JWT has three parts separated by dots: header.payload.signature. The header and payload are Base64URL-encoded JSON. To inspect the payload, copy the middle segment (between the two dots), paste into Decode mode and you will see the JSON claims (user id, expiry, etc). JWTs use URL-safe Base64 which replaces `+` and `/` with `-` and `_`, and our decoder handles both standard and URL-safe input. Remember: decoding a JWT does NOT verify it, only the issuer's secret can do that.

How do I convert a Base64 string into an image or PDF?

For an image: take the decoded Base64 string and wrap it as a data URL like `data:image/png;base64,YOUR_BASE64` then paste into a browser address bar or img src. For a PDF: the JazzCash / Easypaisa / FBR e-invoice APIs often return PDFs as Base64 inside JSON. Decode the Base64 to raw bytes (most language stdlibs have base64.b64decode / Buffer.from(str, 'base64')), then write those bytes to a `.pdf` file. The result is a real PDF you can open in any reader.

Why is the Base64 string longer than the original text?

Base64 always adds about 33 percent overhead because it represents every 3 bytes of input as 4 ASCII characters. Plus trailing `=` padding to make the length a multiple of 4. That is the cost of being safely transmittable as plain text, never compress before encoding (it will not save space) and avoid Base64 for huge payloads where binary upload is an option.

Does this tool handle Urdu, Arabic and emojis correctly?

Yes. We use UTF-8 encoding under the hood (TextEncoder API), so Urdu (اردو), Arabic, Hindi, emojis and any other Unicode character round-trips correctly through encode and decode. Many older Base64 tools use the legacy `btoa` / `atob` directly which silently mangles non-ASCII characters, our path is safe.

How do I encode credentials for HTTP Basic Auth?

HTTP Basic Authentication expects the header `Authorization: Basic ` where the Base64 value is `username:password` (joined with a colon). In Encode mode, type for example `admin:mySecret123` and copy the result. Then send the header as `Authorization: Basic YWRtaW46bXlTZWNyZXQxMjM=`. Pakistani API developers integrating with Meezan, HBL Konnect, Bank Alfalah, JazzCash sandbox endpoints commonly need this format.

Is my data sent to a server?

No. All encoding and decoding runs entirely in your browser using native JavaScript (TextEncoder / TextDecoder / btoa / atob). Your text, tokens, credentials and payloads are never uploaded, never logged, never stored. Safe to use for sensitive debugging.

Base64 Encoder / Decoder

Encode and decode Base64 fast, handles UTF-8, Urdu, emojis, JWT payloads and URL-safe Base64. Built for Pakistani API developers and freelancers.

About the Base64 Encoder / Decoder

Free Base64 encoder and decoder with full UTF-8 support (Urdu, emojis, non-ASCII text encode and decode cleanly). Convert plain text to Base64 or decode Base64 back to readable text in a single click. Built for Pakistani Upwork / Fiverr / GitHub developers debugging API responses from JazzCash, Easypaisa, FBR e-invoice, HBL Konnect, Meezan / Bank Alfalah API integrations, plus generating HTTP Basic Auth headers, embedding images as data URLs, decoding JWT token payloads (URL-safe Base64) and saving Base64-encoded PDF receipts. Everything happens client-side in your browser, your text, tokens, credentials and payloads never touch a server, never get logged. Pair with our JSON Formatter (API response debugging), Password Generator (auth credentials) and QR Code Generator (encode payloads into QR).

Plain text

Choose Encode (plain text to Base64) or Decode (Base64 to plain text) mode.
Paste or type your text into the input area, works with English, Urdu, Arabic, emojis and any UTF-8 content.
The result appears instantly below. For JWT debugging, paste only the middle segment (between the two dots) of your token.
Click Copy to copy the encoded or decoded string straight to your clipboard.
Switch modes anytime to round-trip a value or verify your Base64 output matches the original after decode.

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Base64 Encoder / Decoder

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