What is Encoding? A Practical Definition

2026-07-283 min read

Try it: free Base64 Encode/Decode

Encode and decode text strings or upload files to convert them to Base64 Data URLs locally.

What is Encoding?

Encoding is the process of transforming data from one representation into another according to a defined, reversible scheme — for example turning binary bytes into Base64 text, or Unicode characters into UTF-8 bytes. Encoding is not about secrecy; anyone who knows the scheme can decode it, which distinguishes it from encryption.

Example

Encoding the byte sequence for "Hi" as Base64 produces SGk=.

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