What is Base64 Encoding?
Base64 is a binary-to-text encoding scheme that represents binary data as a string of ASCII characters. It is commonly used to embed images in HTML/CSS, transmit binary data over text-based protocols like email and JSON, and encode credentials in HTTP Basic Authentication headers.
Common Use Cases
- Data URIs: Embed small images directly into your HTML or CSS using
data:image/png;base64,... - API Authentication: Many APIs use Base64-encoded credentials in authorization headers.
- Email Attachments: MIME encoding uses Base64 to transmit binary files as text.