What is Base64?
Base64 is a binary-to-text encoding scheme that represents binary data using 64 ASCII characters (A–Z, a–z, 0–9, +, /). It is commonly used to encode binary data — such as images or files — so it can be safely transmitted over text-based protocols like HTTP or email.
Common Use Cases
- Embedding images in HTML/CSS as data URIs
- Encoding credentials in HTTP Basic Authentication headers
- Storing binary data in JSON or XML payloads
- Encoding email attachments (MIME)
- Passing binary data through environment variables