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Loading SSL Certificate Converter...

How to Use the SSL Certificate Converter

Step 1

Input Your Certificate

Paste your SSL certificate in the left panel. The format is automatically detected - no need to manually select! You have several convenient options:

•
Paste directly: Copy your certificate and paste it into the input editor
•
Upload a file: Click "Upload" to select a .pem, .crt, .cer, or .der file
•
Try the sample: Click "Sample" to load example data and see how it works

Example: PEM Certificate

Here's what a typical PEM-formatted certificate looks like:

-----BEGIN CERTIFICATE-----
MIIDdTCCAl2gAwIBAgILBAAAAAABFUtaw5QwDQYJKoZIhvcNAQEFBQAwVzELMAkG
A1UEBhMCQkUxGTAXBgNVBAoTEEdsb2JhbFNpZ24gbnYtc2ExEDAOBgNVBAsTB1Jv
b3QgQ0ExGzAZBgNVBAMTEkdsb2JhbFNpZ24gUm9vdCBDQTAeFw05ODA5MDExMjAw
...
-----END CERTIFICATE-----
Step 2

Automatic Format Detection & Conversion

The magic happens instantly! As soon as you input your certificate, the converter automatically:

•
Detects format: Automatically identifies PEM or DER encoding
•
Validates structure: Checks certificate integrity and encoding
•
Converts instantly: Real-time conversion to your selected output format

Example: DER Output (Hexadecimal)

The same certificate converted to DER format:

308202a33082018ba003020102020b040000000001154b5ac39430...
Step 3

Choose Output Format

Select your desired output format. Each format is suited for different platforms and use cases:

•
PEM: Base64 encoded with headers - used by Apache, Nginx, most Linux servers
•
DER: Binary format as hexadecimal - commonly used in Java applications
•
CRT: Certificate file (PEM format) - standard on Unix/Linux systems
•
CER: Certificate file (DER format) - commonly used on Windows/IIS
Step 4

Export Your Converted Certificate

Get your converted certificate ready for use! Multiple export options make it easy:

•
Copy to clipboard: One-click copying for quick pasting into your server config
•
Download as file: Save with the correct file extension for your platform
•
Conversion feedback: Green checkmark confirms successful conversion with details

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between PEM and DER formats?

PEM (Privacy Enhanced Mail) is a Base64 encoded format with BEGIN/END markers, making it text-based and easy to share as defined in RFC 7468.DER (Distinguished Encoding Rules) is a binary format that's more compact but not human-readable. PEM is commonly used on Linux/Unix systems, while DER is often used in Java applications and Windows platforms.

Which format should I use for my web server?

For Apache and Nginx, use PEM format (.pem or .crt files). For Microsoft IIS, you can use either PEM or DER encoded CER files as detailed in IIS SSL configuration. For Java-based servers like Tomcat, DER format is commonly used. The converter automatically handles the encoding, so just select your target format and download.

Is my certificate data secure when using this converter?

Yes, absolutely! All conversions are performed entirely in your browser using JavaScript. Your certificate data never leaves your computer or gets sent to any server. The conversion happens client-side using Web Crypto API, ensuring complete privacy and security following OWASP transport security guidelines. Certificates are public information anyway, but we still don't store or transmit anything.

Can I convert certificate chains or bundles?

This tool is designed for single certificate conversions. For certificate chains (multiple certificates), you'll need to convert each certificate individually and then combine them in the correct order for your server. Each certificate in the chain maintains the same format after conversion.

What's the difference between CRT and CER files?

CRT and CER are just different file extensions for certificates. CRT (certificate) is commonly used on Unix/Linux systems and typically contains PEM-encoded data. CER (also certificate) is more common on Windows systems and can contain either PEM or DER encoded data. The content structure is identical - only the encoding and extension differ.

Does the converter validate certificate structure?

Yes! The converter validates that the certificate structure is correct during conversion. It checks for proper DER SEQUENCE tags, valid Base64 encoding for PEM, and correct format markers. If your certificate is malformed, you'll receive a specific error message explaining what's wrong, helping you fix the issue quickly.

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