Base64 vs URL Encoding
Both turn data into safe text — but for different contexts. Mixing them up causes broken URLs and invalid API payloads.
Base64
Encodes binary data (images, files, tokens) into ASCII. Used in data URLs, JWT segments, and embedding files in JSON.
URL encoding (percent encoding)
Escapes reserved characters in URLs and form fields (`&`, `=`, spaces, Unicode). Used in query strings and application/x-www-form-urlencoded bodies.
Quick rule
- Embedding a file in JSON or HTML → Base64
- Putting text in a URL query param → URL encode