Base64url Decoder
How to Decode Base64URL
Base64URL decoding converts a Base64URL encoded value back into its original binary data. If the decoded data represents text, selecting the correct original character set can help your browser display it correctly.
Enter Base64URL Data
Paste your Base64URL encoded value into the input field above. Alternatively, you can upload the encoded data as a file.
Base64URL may contain text, binary data, or data representing another type of file. The decoder processes the encoded value back into its original bytes.
Select the Original Character Set
Do I have to select it?
No. You do not have to select the original character set.
However, if the decoded data uses a character set other than UTF-8, it may not be displayed correctly in your browser. Selecting the original character set allows the browser to display the decoded text more accurately.
The selected character set is only used to display the decoded data in your browser. It does not modify the original encoded data. You can always click the Download button to download the original encoded data without any changes.
Decode Base64URL Data
After entering the Base64URL data, click the Decode button. The tool decodes the Base64URL value and displays the resulting data.
Copy or Download the Original Data
When available, the Download and Copy buttons allow you to download the original encoded data without changes.
Base64URL is not encryption
Base64URL is an encoding format, not an encryption method. Anyone who has the encoded value can decode it. Base64URL should therefore not be used as a way to protect confidential information.
What Is Base64URL?
Base64URL is a URL and filename-safe variant of Base64 encoding. It represents binary data using a limited set of ASCII characters that can be used more conveniently in URLs and similar contexts.
Base64URL uses the same general Base64 encoding principle but changes two characters in the alphabet: + becomes -, and / becomes _.
URL Friendly
The alphabet is designed to work conveniently in URL contexts.
Compact Representation
Binary data can be represented as text using a standardized encoding scheme.
Not Encryption
Base64URL does not provide confidentiality or encryption.
Base64 vs Base64URL: What Is the Difference?
Base64 and Base64URL use the same underlying concept for converting binary data into a text representation. The main difference is the character alphabet used by Base64URL.
| Feature | Base64 | Base64URL |
|---|---|---|
| Plus character | + | - |
| Slash character | / | _ |
| Padding character | = | no padding |
| Typical use | General data encoding | URLs, filenames and web protocols |
| Encryption | No | No |
Why Use Base64URL Instead of Base64?
Base64URL is preferred when encoded data needs to be placed directly into a URL, filename, or another format where the standard Base64 characters + and / can be inconvenient.
Compatibility is the main reason
Base64URL is not more secure than Base64. Its advantage is that its alphabet is better suited to URL and filename contexts.
Where Is Base64URL Used?
Base64URL is commonly used when binary or structured data needs to be represented in environments where URL-compatible characters are desirable.
URLs
URL parameters and web data
JWT
Compact token representations
JWS
Web signature representations
Files
Filename-friendly encoded data
Is Base64URL Secure?
Base64URL is encoding, not encryption
Base64URL does not make information confidential, does not hide data, and does not provide encryption. It only changes the representation of data.
If sensitive information needs to be protected, an appropriate encryption or cryptographic mechanism must be used. Encoding the information with Base64URL alone does not provide that protection.
Base64URL Example
Consider a Base64 value that contains characters which are less convenient in a URL context. Base64URL changes the relevant characters while preserving the encoded data representation.
Standard Base64
+ and / may appear in the encoded value. Base64URL
- replaces + and _ replaces /. Base64URL Frequently Asked Questions
+ and /, while Base64URL uses - and _. Padding may also be handled differently depending on the specification. + with - and / with _. These characters are more convenient in URL and filename contexts. = character is used as padding in Base64. Some Base64URL specifications allow padding to be omitted, particularly when the original data length can be determined. 
