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Base32 Encoder & Decoder

Free Base32 encoder and decoder (RFC 4648). Convert text to Base32 using the A-Z2-7 alphabet with optional padding, or decode Base32 back to text. Runs entirely in your browser, no data uploaded.

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Deep dive guides

A LITTLE CONTEXT · 4 MIN READBase32 Explained: The A-Z2-7 Alphabet Built for Humans
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How base32 encoder & decoder works

Base32 (RFC 4648) is a binary-to-text encoding that represents every 5 bytes of input as 8 characters from a 32-symbol alphabet (A-Z and 2-7). It is about 20% larger than the original. Because the alphabet is uppercase letters plus digits and excludes ambiguous characters (0/O, 1/I/L), Base32 is ideal for case-insensitive systems and human transcription.

This tool encodes your text into Base32 using the standard A-Z2-7 alphabet. The padding option adds "=" characters so the output length is always a multiple of 8 (the RFC default); turn it off to drop padding. Decoding ignores whitespace and case, strips trailing padding, and reconstructs the original bytes.

Base32 is widely used for TOTP / HOTP authenticator secrets, DNSSEC, and encoded keys that humans may need to read or type. It is an encoding, not encryption — it provides no security. All processing happens in your browser using built-in UTF-8 conversion.

Frequently asked questions

Why does Base32 use only A-Z and 2-7?
The 32 symbols are chosen to be unambiguous for humans and case-insensitive systems. The digits 0, 1, 8, and 9 are excluded to avoid confusion with O, I, L, B and other letters, which makes Base32 safer to transcribe by hand than Base64.
What is the padding for?
RFC 4648 pads the output with "=" characters so the encoded length is always a multiple of 8. Most decoders require or tolerate it; you can toggle padding off if your target system does not want trailing "=" characters.
Is Base32 the same as Base64?
No. Base64 uses a 64-symbol alphabet (A-Z, a-z, 0-9, +, /) and encodes 3 bytes as 4 characters (33% overhead). Base32 uses a 32-symbol alphabet, is case-insensitive, and encodes 5 bytes as 8 characters (60% overhead). Choose Base32 for human readability and case-insensitive systems.
Can I decode lowercase Base32?
Yes. The decoder uppercases the input before decoding, so lowercase and mixed-case Base32 both decode correctly. Whitespace is also stripped, so you can paste wrapped or spaced Base32.
What does "non-canonical" Base32 mean?
Canonical Base32 zero-fills its final symbol group, so the unused trailing bits of the last symbol are always 0. If you decode an input like "AB" (whose last bits are 01), the result is still produced here — decoders are deliberately lenient — but the result is flagged non-canonical, because strict RFC 4648 decoders may reject that form and third-party tools might disagree with this one. A flag usually means the string was truncated or hand-mangled.

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