How to encode and decode Base64

Use Base64 Encode / Decode when you need to turn readable text into a Base64 string or inspect a Base64 value copied from an API, header, data URI, queue message, or fixture. Paste the value, choose the direction, and review the output before reusing it.

Encoding is not encryption. Anyone can decode Base64. Treat decoded secrets, tokens, certificates, customer IDs, and internal URLs as sensitive data even when the original value looked unreadable.

Decoded output may be plain text, JSON, a JWT segment, a URL, or a file payload. If it looks like JSON, open JSON Formatter. If it is part of a token, use JWT Decoder. If it represents a PDF, use Base64 to PDF to validate and preview the document.

When decoding fails, check for missing padding, copied whitespace, URL-safe Base64 characters, or prefixes such as data:application/pdf;base64,. Remove wrappers only when you know the receiving system expects the raw Base64 body.

For tickets and pull requests, share the decoded structure and the relevant field names instead of the full sensitive value. This keeps the workflow useful without creating security or AdSense policy risk.