Base32 Encoder Decoder
Convert text to Base32 (RFC 4648, alphabet A-Z2-7) and decode Base32 back to text. Conversion is live as you type, padding and characters are validated, and everything runs in your browser — nothing is uploaded.
Convert
How to use
- Choose Encode to turn text into Base32, or Decode to turn Base32 back into text.
- Type or paste into the input box — the result updates live, or click "Convert" to run it manually.
- Use "Swap" to move the result into the input and flip the mode (handy to check a round trip).
- Use "Copy result" to copy the output, or "Load sample" to try the tool with an example.
- Invalid Base32 (bad characters, wrong length or broken padding) shows a clear error explaining the problem.
What is Base32?
Base32 is a text encoding defined in RFC 4648. It represents binary data using only the uppercase letters A-Z and the digits 2-7, with the = sign as padding. Because it skips the easily confused characters 0, 1, 8 and 9, Base32 strings are easy to read aloud and type by hand.
Where Base32 is used instead of Base64
- Two-factor authentication secrets: the shared secrets scanned from QR codes in authenticator apps (TOTP/HOTP) are Base32 strings — that is why they look like long groups of capital letters.
- Data typed by hand: license keys, recovery codes and backup codes use Base32 so users do not mix up similar-looking characters.
- Case-insensitive systems: file systems, DNS labels and legacy protocols that fold lowercase to uppercase keep Base32 values intact, unlike Base64.