About Base64 Encoding

Base64 encoding is a method of converting binary data (like images or files) into a text format that can be easily transmitted over text-based protocols such as email or HTTP. It works by dividing the data into groups of 3 bytes and then encoding them into 4 characters from a set of 64 different characters (hence the name Base64). This makes it safe for use in environments that only support text-based data, such as URLs or HTML files.

The process of encoding involves converting 3 bytes (24 bits) of data into 4 printable characters, each representing 6 bits of the original data. Since the result is longer than the original binary data, Base64 encoding increases the size by approximately 33%.

While Base64 encoding is commonly used for things like embedding images in HTML or encoding credentials for secure transmission, it is important to note that it is not encryption and does not provide any form of security. It’s simply an encoding scheme to ensure safe transport of binary data.