Base64 Decode

Decode a Base64 string back to readable UTF-8 text — including Base64-encoded JSON, XML or YAML. Invalid Base64 is reported instead of returning garbage. Runs in your browser.

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About Base64 Decode

Base64 Decode turns a Base64 string back into readable text — useful for inspecting API payloads, Kubernetes secrets, email source, data URIs, and Base64-encoded JSON, XML or YAML. The result is decoded as UTF-8, so non-English text and emoji appear correctly.

If the input is not valid Base64, you get a clear error instead of garbled output. It runs entirely in your browser, so nothing you paste is uploaded.

How to use Base64 Decode

  1. Paste the Base64 string or click Sample.
  2. Press Convert.
  3. Copy the decoded text.

Key features

  • UTF-8 decoding — non-English text and emoji
  • Decodes Base64-encoded JSON, XML and YAML
  • Clear error for invalid input
  • Encode again with Base64 Encode

Example

A Base64-encoded JSON payload, decoded.

Input
eyJ1c2VyIjoiYXNoYSIsInJvbGUiOiJhZG1pbiJ9
Output
{"user":"asha","role":"admin"}

When to use Base64 Decode

  • Reading a Kubernetes Secret or an encoded API field.
  • Inspecting Base64-encoded JSON or XML in logs and messages.
  • Checking what a Basic Authorization header contains while debugging.

Tips and common problems

  • Remove a "data:…;base64," prefix and any spaces or line breaks before decoding.
  • URL-safe Base64 uses - and _ instead of + and /; replace them if decoding fails.
  • Garbled output usually means the data is binary (an image or a file), not text.

Frequently asked questions

This tool decodes Base64 into text. Binary data such as images will not display as readable text.

Guides

  • Base64 Explained — Base64 explained for beginners: what it is, why it exists, where it is used (data URIs, JSON, email), and when you should and should not use it.
  • JWT Explained: What Is Inside a JSON Web Token — JSON Web Tokens explained: header, payload and signature, claims like exp and iat, why anyone can read a JWT, and mistakes that cause security problems.
  • UTF-8 and Garbled Text, Explained — Why Gujarati, Hindi, ₹ and accented letters turn into symbols like ઠor ₹, what UTF-8 and a BOM are, and how to fix garbled text in files and CSVs.