Ascii85 Encoder & Decoder
Convert text to compact Ascii85 encoding and back.
Denser than Base64
Ascii85 encodes binary data by turning every four bytes into five printable characters, giving about a 25% expansion versus the 33% of Base64. It is the encoding embedded in PostScript and PDF streams.
This tool encodes text to Ascii85 and decodes it back, using the standard Adobe alphabet. It handles the padding of partial final groups so the round trip is exact.
Compact and private
Encoding runs in your browser, so your text is never uploaded.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ascii85?
A binary-to-text encoding that packs four bytes into five printable characters, making it more compact than Base64.
Where is it used?
In PostScript and PDF files, and anywhere a denser text encoding than Base64 is helpful.
Which variant is this?
The standard Ascii85 as used by Adobe, without the enclosing markers, using the z shortcut for all-zero groups on decode.
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