What is Base32?
Base32 encodes binary data using 32 characters: the uppercase letters A–Z and digits 2–7. Unlike Base64, it avoids lowercase letters and easily confused characters, so it is case-insensitive and safe to read aloud or type by hand. It is the format used for TOTP two-factor authentication secrets.
Example
The text Hello encodes to JBSWY3DP. Base32 output is padded with = so its length is a multiple of eight.
Common uses
- TOTP / authenticator app secret keys.
- Case-insensitive file names and identifiers.
- Encoding data for systems that mishandle mixed case.
Limitations
- Base32 is larger than Base64 (about 60% overhead vs. 33%).
- It is an encoding, not encryption — anyone can decode it.
- Decoding ignores spaces and is case-insensitive, but invalid characters will fail.
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