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Free Online Base32 Encoder & Decoder

  1. Tools
  2. /Cryptography & Encoding
  3. /Base32 Encode / Decode
43 chars
1

43 characters · 9 words · 43 bytes (UTF-8)

Output

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Click in the output to select all text

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This Base32 tool encodes text into RFC 4648-compliant Base32 format and decodes Base32 strings back to plain text, instantly in your browser. Base32 uses a restricted 32-character alphabet (A-Z and 2-7) that avoids visually ambiguous characters, which makes it popular for things that get typed or spoken by hand — TOTP two-factor authentication secrets, DNS-safe identifiers, and filesystem-friendly names are the most common uses you'll run into. Developers implementing 2FA/TOTP flows, sysadmins decoding authenticator app secrets, and anyone working with case-insensitive encoding needs will find this converter useful. Encoding and decoding both run entirely as JavaScript in your browser — no text, including sensitive TOTP seeds, is ever uploaded or logged on a server. There's no signup and no limits, and conversions happen instantly as you type. If you need standard Base64 instead, this platform has a dedicated Base64URL tool as well. Scroll down to encode or decode your Base32 string right now.

Features

  • ✓Full RFC 4648 Base32 encoding and decoding
  • ✓Instant client-side conversion, no server round trip
  • ✓Handles standard '=' padding correctly
  • ✓Case-insensitive decoding for convenience
  • ✓One-click copy to clipboard
  • ✓Compatible with TOTP/2FA authenticator secret formats
  • ✓Supports arbitrary-length UTF-8 input
  • ✓Works fully offline once loaded

Why use this base32 encode / decode?

  • Instant encode/decode with no lag
  • Fully private — text never leaves your browser
  • RFC 4648 accurate, matching standard library output
  • Simple two-way tool that's easy to use for beginners
  • Free with unlimited use and no signup

Frequently asked questions

What is Base32 used for?

Base32 is commonly used for TOTP/2FA secret keys, DNS labels, filesystem names, and any context where a case-insensitive, human-typeable encoding is preferred over Base64.

Why use Base32 instead of Base64?

Base32's alphabet avoids visually similar characters (like 0/O and 1/I/l) and is case-insensitive, making it easier for people to read, type, and transcribe accurately by hand.

Is Base32 encryption?

No, Base32 is a reversible encoding scheme, not encryption — anyone can decode it back to the original data without a key.

How much larger is Base32 output than the original text?

Base32 encoding expands data by roughly 60%, since it uses 8 output characters to represent every 5 bytes of input.

Is Base32 the same format used for Google Authenticator secrets?

Yes, TOTP secrets used by Google Authenticator and similar apps are standard Base32-encoded strings following RFC 4648.

Does Base32 use padding characters?

Yes, standard Base32 pads output with '=' characters so the encoded length is a multiple of 8, though some implementations omit padding.

Is Base32 case-sensitive?

The standard alphabet is uppercase, but most decoders, including this one, accept lowercase input for convenience.

From the blog

What Is Base64 and Why Do Developers Use It?

What is Base64? A plain-English explanation of the 64-character alphabet, the 3-bytes-to-4-characters math, padding, the 33% size cost, and where it is used.