What is Base58?
Base58 is a binary-to-text encoding popularized by Bitcoin. It uses 58 characters — the digits and letters minus the easily confused ones (0, O, I and l) and minus + and /. This makes Base58 strings safe to copy, type and display, with no ambiguous characters and no special symbols. Unlike Base64, Base58 is computed as a base conversion of the whole number, so it has no fixed block size and no padding. It is widely used for Bitcoin addresses, keys and IPFS identifiers.
Runs locally: Base58 encoding happens in your browser. It is an encoding, not encryption.
How Base58 works
Base58 treats the input bytes as one large number and converts its base:
- Interpret the input bytes as a single big integer.
- Repeatedly divide by 58; each remainder (0–57) maps to one Base58 character.
- Each leading zero byte in the input becomes a leading
1in the output.
Because it is a base conversion, Base58 has no padding and is slightly more compact than Base32.
How to use
- Enter or paste your text in the input box.
- The Base58-encoded result appears instantly in the output.
- Click Copy to use the encoded value.
Options explained
- Alphabet — Uses the Bitcoin Base58 alphabet (no 0, O, I or l).
- Base58Check — Some systems add a checksum (Base58Check) to detect typos in addresses.
Common uses
- Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency addresses and keys.
- IPFS content identifiers.
- Short, copy-safe identifiers with no ambiguous characters.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Base58 skip 0, O, I and l?
To avoid characters that look alike, so addresses are easier to read and type without mistakes.
Does Base58 use padding?
No. It is a base conversion, so there is no = padding.
How do I decode it?
Use the Base58 Decode tool.