Base64 and hex
Base64 is a way to represent raw bytes using a small set of printable characters. Data is grouped in 3-byte chunks mapped to 4 characters; padding = may appear at the end when the length is not a multiple of three. Hex writes each byte as two characters 00–FF, which is easy to read and compare. Neither format hides or encrypts data.
Base64 strings are longer than the original binary (about 4/3 the size). Hex is even longer but very regular. Base64 is common in email attachments, JSON, and config snippets; hex is common in dumps, firmware, and visually checking bytes.
Choosing between them
Use Base64 when you need a compact ASCII-safe blob for text channels. Use hex when you want to eyeball or diff individual bytes. Strip extra line breaks from Base64 if a decoder complains.
Security
Anyone can decode Base64. Do not use it to hide passwords or tokens.
How to use it
Paste text or an encoded string, then choose encode or decode for Base64 or hex. Each action is separate so you can match your workflow. If decoding fails, check padding, line breaks, and whether the input is valid hex (pairs of digits).
Related information
Base64 and hex are encodings, not compression or encryption. Base64 makes binary data longer. For secrets, use proper cryptography—not this tool.