How to use the Base64 Decode tool
- Paste the Base64 string into the input box.
- The decoded text appears instantly. Any problem with the input is explained below the boxes.
- Copy the text, or use Swap to re-encode it.
What Base64 decoding does
Base64 writes data using 64 safe characters so it can travel through systems built for text, such as email, JSON and URLs. Decoding reverses the process: every 4 characters turn back into 3 bytes, and those bytes are read as UTF-8 text. Our plain-English guide to Base64 walks through an example step by step.
Inputs this decoder handles
- Standard Base64 using + and /.
- URL-safe Base64 using - and _, as used in JWTs and web tokens.
- Missing padding: trailing = signs are added for you.
- Line breaks and spaces, common in email and PEM files, are ignored.
- Data URIs like
data:text/plain;base64,…; the prefix is removed automatically.
When the result isn’t text
If the Base64 holds an image, PDF or other file, decoding it as text produces garbled symbols. The decoder detects common file types and tells you. Use Base64 to Image to preview and download images. To read a JWT, use the JWT Decoder, which splits and formats all three parts.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my decoded text look like random symbols?
The Base64 probably contains a file such as an image or PDF rather than text. Try the Base64 to Image converter, which detects the file type and lets you download it.
Does it work with URL-safe Base64 and JWT parts?
Yes. Characters - and _ are converted automatically and missing = padding is added for you.
Is my data sent anywhere?
No. Decoding happens entirely in your browser and nothing is uploaded.
Are my files uploaded to a server?
No. HushConverts converts everything with code that runs in your browser, so your text and files stay on your device. You can even use most tools offline once the page has loaded.
Related guides
More encoding & developer
- Base64 EncodeTEXT → BASE64Turn any text into Base64.
- Base64 to ImageBASE64 → IMAGEPaste a Base64 string or a full data:image URI to preview the image and download it as a file.
- Image to Base64IMAGE → BASE64Drop an image to get its Base64 in the format you need: a data URI, raw Base64, a CSS background rule or an HTML img tag.
- URL Encode / DecodeTEXT → URLMake text safe to put in a URL, or turn a percent-encoded string like %E2%9C%93 back into readable text.
- HTML Entity Encode / DecodeTEXT → HTMLEscape text so it displays literally in HTML, or decode entities such as &, < and © back into the characters they stand for.
- JSON Formatter & ValidatorJSON → JSONPaste JSON to pretty-print it, minify it, or find out exactly where it’s broken.
- JSON to CSVJSON → CSVTurn a JSON array of objects into a spreadsheet-ready CSV.
- CSV to JSONCSV → JSONPaste CSV from a spreadsheet or export to get clean JSON.