What is Base36?

Base36 is a numeral system that uses 36 unique digits, consisting of the numbers 0-9 and the letters a-z. It provides a way to represent numbers in a more compact form than decimal or hexadecimal, while still remaining human-readable.

How It Works

Encoding: Each character in the input text is converted to its character code (decimal number). This number is then converted to Base36 by repeatedly dividing by 36 and using the remainders to build the Base36 string. The result is padded to ensure consistent length.

Decoding: Each Base36 group is converted back to a decimal number by multiplying each digit by the appropriate power of 36 and summing. This decimal number is then converted back to the corresponding character.

• Uses 36 characters: 0-9 and a-z (case-insensitive).
• More compact than Base16 or Base32.
• Commonly used for URL shortening.
• Maintains readability with alphanumeric characters.
• Spaces between groups are optional for readability.

Use Cases

Base36 encoding has several practical applications:

• URL Shortening: Creating compact, readable URLs.
• Unique IDs: Generating shorter unique identifiers.
• Data Storage: Reducing storage space while maintaining readability.
• User-friendly Codes: Creating readable reference codes.

Advantages of Base36

Base36 offers several benefits:

• Compact: More space-efficient than lower bases.
• Human-readable: Uses familiar alphanumeric characters.
• Case-insensitive: Reduces errors in manual entry.
• No special characters: Safe for use in URLs and filenames.

How to Use This Tool

1. Select either "Encode" or "Decode" mode.
2. Enter the text or Base36 string into the top input field.
3. The result will appear automatically in the bottom output field.
4. Use the swap button to switch the input and output, automatically changing the mode.
5. Click the copy icon next to the output label to copy the result.
6. Error messages will appear for invalid Base36 input or encoding errors.