> encode | decode | ascii85 <
// Base85 (ASCII85) encoding for efficient binary data representation
High Efficiency
More efficient than Base64, producing ~25% smaller output for the same data.
Local Processing
All conversions happen in your browser. Your data never leaves your device.
Adobe Standard
Uses the standard ASCII85 format with <~ ~> delimiters, compatible with PostScript.
>> technical info
How Base85 Works:
Base85 uses 85 printable ASCII characters to encode binary data. Every 4 bytes are encoded as 5 characters, making it more efficient than Base64.
Example:
"Hello" → <~87cURD]i~>
Why Use Base85:
- >More efficient than Base64 (~25% smaller)
- >Standard in PostScript and PDF files
- >Good compression ratio
- >Uses printable ASCII characters only
- >Includes special 'z' shortcut for zero bytes
>> frequently asked questions
What is Base85 encoding?
Base85, also known as ASCII85, is a binary-to-text encoding scheme that uses 85 printable ASCII characters to represent binary data more efficiently than Base64.
Why is Base85 more efficient than Base64?
Base85 encodes 4 bytes as 5 characters (80% efficiency) while Base64 encodes 3 bytes as 4 characters (75% efficiency), making Base85 about 25% more space-efficient.
What are the <~ ~> delimiters?
The <~ and ~> delimiters are part of the Adobe ASCII85 standard, marking the beginning and end of encoded data. They help identify Base85 content in documents.
What does the 'z' character mean?
The 'z' character is a special shortcut in ASCII85 that represents four consecutive zero bytes (\x00\x00\x00\x00), making the encoding more efficient.