CalculatorsConvertersDeveloperTextAll toolsDirectory
Submit your tool Sign in
Theme
Home/Answers/Developer
How-to

How do I encode and decode Base32?

Short answer

Use a browser-based Base32 tool to encode text into Base32 or decode a Base32 string back to text, entirely on your device. Base32 uses a 32-character alphabet that avoids ambiguous characters, which is why it shows up in TOTP secrets and other places where a string has to be typed or read aloud.

Base32 versus Base64

Both encode binary data as printable text, but Base32 uses only uppercase letters and the digits 2 through 7, deliberately leaving out characters that are easy to confuse like 0, 1, 8 and 9. That makes Base32 longer than Base64 for the same data but far more robust when a human has to type it, read it over the phone, or scan it, at the cost of some size.

Where you actually meet it

The most common encounter is two-factor authentication: the secret behind an authenticator app is usually shared as a Base32 string. It also appears in some file and hashing systems. Being able to decode a Base32 value locally lets you inspect it while debugging a TOTP setup, and because the tool runs client-side, a secret you decode is never transmitted.

Step by step

  1. Open the Base32 tool. Open the encoder and decoder in your browser.
  2. Paste your input. Paste text to encode, or a Base32 string to decode. It is processed locally.
  3. Copy the result. Copy the encoded or decoded output.

Frequently asked questions

How is Base32 different from Base64?

Base32 uses a smaller, less ambiguous alphabet (A to Z and 2 to 7), which makes it easier to type and read but longer than Base64.

Why is a 2FA secret in Base32?

Because Base32 avoids confusing characters, making the secret safe to type by hand or read aloud when setting up an authenticator.

Is my input uploaded?

No. Encoding and decoding run entirely in your browser.

Related answers