Coverton BlogBase64 versus OCR: encode images and text correctly
An image converted to a Base64 TXT file produces a long string of characters because it represents the image’s bytes as text. It does not recognize the words in a photo. Use OCR when you need text from a photographed document.
Use the free tool →Base64 is not encryption
Base64 is an encoding, not a password or access-control mechanism. Anyone with valid encoded data can decode it. Do not use Base64 as protection for sensitive information.
Distinguish images from ordinary text
Image encoding operates on file bytes. Ordinary text encoding depends on the character encoding used. When decoding, check the input and expected format, then open the restored image or inspect the restored text.
Choose OCR for text recognition
OCR estimates characters from pixels and needs error review. Base64 decoding restores the original data representation. A partially copied or invalid string may not restore a usable image or text file.
Choose the right tool
Example inputs illustrate the workflow; they do not promise a particular file size, recognition accuracy or compatibility.
Encode images as Base64
Encode image bytes for data transport. The long characters in the TXT output are encoded data, not words recognized from the picture.
Example
image.png → Base64 data in TXT- Choose files in JPG, JPEG, PNG, WEBP, GIF, SVG format. Maximum files per batch: 50.
- Review Base64 output mode, then start processing.
- Download the Base64 (.txt) result and check its content and quality.
What to check
Saves the image as Base64 code in a TXT file. It does not read or extract the words in the image (OCR).
Base64 typically adds about one third to the byte count and does not optimize the image.
Decode Base64 to an image
Restore an image from Base64 image data. Base64 encoding of ordinary text is not an image.
Example
Base64 image data → validated image file- Choose files in TXT, B64 format. Maximum files per batch: 1.
- Check the input format and file order, then start processing.
- Download the Image result and check its content and quality.
What to check
Restores JPG, PNG, WebP, GIF, BMP, ICO or AVIF image data. SVG is not supported. The decoded bytes must form a valid image.
Encode text as Base64
Encode UTF-8 text as Base64 for transport. This is not encryption or password protection.
Example
Hello → SGVsbG8=- Choose files in TXT, MD, JSON, CSV format. Maximum files per batch: 50.
- Check the input format and file order, then start processing.
- Download the Base64 (.txt) result and check its content and quality.
What to check
Base64 is reversible encoding, not encryption, and usually increases size.
Decode Base64 to text
Read UTF-8 text encoded as Base64. This does not turn image data or encrypted bytes into prose.
Example
SGVsbG8= → Hello- Choose files in TXT, B64 format. Maximum files per batch: 50.
- Check the input format and file order, then start processing.
- Download the TXT result and check its content and quality.
What to check
Binary data or text encoded with a different character set may not produce readable UTF-8.
This guide describes the public web tools and their support limits. Keep your original and check the downloaded result. Coverton · Corrections and contact