RFC 4648 · PROPOSED STANDARD · 2006

The Base16, Base32, and Base64 Data Encodings

Overview

RFC 4648, “The Base16, Base32, and Base64 Data Encodings”, is a Proposed Standard document published in October 2006 by S. Josefsson. It obsoletes RFC 3548. The canonical text is published by the RFC Editor.

Abstract

This document describes the commonly used base 64, base 32, and base 16 encoding schemes. It also discusses the use of line-feeds in encoded data, use of padding in encoded data, use of non-alphabet characters in encoded data, use of different encoding alphabets, and canonical encodings. [STANDARDS-TRACK]

Abstract as published in the RFC, via rfc-editor.org.

What “Proposed Standard” means

An entry-level standards-track specification: stable, peer-reviewed and a solid basis for implementation, though it may still evolve before becoming an Internet Standard.

Read this RFC

The canonical text of RFC 4648 is hosted at rfc-editor.org. Available in TXT,HTML.

Relationships to other RFCs
This RFC obsoletes
RFC 3548
Other RFCs from 2006

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