# Base64 Encode & Decode

URL: https://tools.otaku-dojo.com/en/base64-encoder-decoder
Updated: 2026-10-03

The Base64 tool encodes any text — including Chinese, Japanese and emoji — as UTF-8 Base64, or decodes Base64 back into the original text. It supports standard Base64 and URL-safe Base64URL (which uses - and _ instead of + and /), and you can paste a data: URI directly to decode it.

## How to use the Base64 Encode & Decode

1. Choose "Encode" or "Decode" and the standard or URL-safe format.
2. Paste text or a Base64 string on the left.
3. The result appears instantly; press "Copy" or "Download".

## Specs & key facts

- **Standard**: RFC 4648 (Base64 and Base64URL)
- **Text encoding**: UTF-8 — any language and emoji
- **Formats**: Standard Base64, URL-safe Base64URL (no padding)
- **Tolerant decoding**: Ignores spaces and line breaks; accepts data: URIs
- **Processing**: In your browser (nothing is uploaded)
- **Price**: Free, no sign-up

## Examples: Encode text to Base64

```text
Hello, World!
```

→

```text
SGVsbG8sIFdvcmxkIQ==
```

## Examples: Encode non-English text (UTF-8)

```text
御宅道場
```

→

```text
5b6h5a6F6YGT5aC0
```

## FAQ

### Why does another tool give a different result for non-English text?

The text encoding differs. This tool uses UTF-8, the standard for the web and APIs; tools using UTF-16 or legacy encodings produce different output.

### When should I use URL-safe Base64?

When the value goes into a URL, filename or JWT. Standard Base64 uses + and /, which have special meaning in URLs; URL-safe Base64 uses - and _ and drops the trailing =.

### Why does decoding say "not valid UTF-8 text"?

The Base64 contains binary data such as an image or archive, not text, so it cannot be displayed as text.