> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://mariadb.com/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://mariadb.com/docs/server/reference/sql-functions/string-functions/from_base64.md).

# FROM\_BASE64

## Syntax

```bnf
FROM_BASE64(str)
```

## Description

Decodes the given base-64 encode string, returning the result as a binary string. Returns `NULL` if the given string is `NULL` or if it's invalid.

It is the reverse of the [TO\_BASE64](/docs/server/reference/sql-functions/string-functions/to_base64.md) function.

There are numerous methods to base-64 encode a string. MariaDB uses the following:

* It encodes alphabet value 64 as '`+`'.
* It encodes alphabet value 63 as '`/`'.
* It codes output in groups of four printable characters. Each three byte of data encoded uses four characters. If the final group is incomplete, it pads the difference with the '`=`' character.
* It divides long output, adding a new line very 76 characters.
* In decoding, it recognizes and ignores newlines, carriage returns, tabs and space whitespace characters.

```sql
SELECT TO_BASE64('Maria') AS 'Input';
+-----------+
| Input     |
+-----------+
| TWFyaWE=  |
+-----------+

SELECT FROM_BASE64('TWFyaWE=') AS 'Output';
+--------+
| Output |
+--------+
| Maria  |
+--------+
```

<sub>*This page is licensed: CC BY-SA / Gnu FDL*</sub>

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