PHP 8 reference · String Functions

PHP base64_decode() Function

Decode a Base64 string back to the original data. With strict mode on, invalid input returns false.

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Syntax

base64_decode(string $string, bool $strict = false): string|false

Parameter	Description
`string`	The input string.
`strict` optional	`true` returns `false` for characters outside the Base64 alphabet. Default: `false`

The decoded data, or false on failure in strict mode.

Decode textTry it yourself

<?php
echo base64_decode("SGVsbG8sIFdvcmxkIQ=="), "\n";

Output

Hello, World!

Strict modeTry it yourself

<?php
var_dump(base64_decode("SGVsbG8*", true));
echo base64_decode("SGVsbG8*"), "\n"; // non-strict skips the bad character

Output

bool(false)
Hello

Version	Change
PHP 4.0	Added

base64_encode() · Encode binary data or text as Base64, using only letters, digits, + and /, so it travels safely as text.
PHP Strings · tutorial