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How to Compress with Zstandard and Encode to Base64

Step 1

Input Your Data

Start by entering the data you want to compress and encode. This tool accepts any text-based data including JSON, XML, CSV, or plain text:

Paste directly: Copy your data and paste it into the input editor
Upload a file: Click "Upload" to select a file from your computer
Try samples: Click sample buttons to load example data

Example: Original Data

Sample JSON data ready for compression:

{
  "user": "john_doe",
  "email": "[email protected]",
  "active": true,
  "preferences": {
    "theme": "dark",
    "notifications": true
  }
}
Step 2

Choose Compression Level

Adjust the Zstandard compression level based on your needs. Zstandard offers 22 compression levels, similar to gzip but with better performance:

Level 1-3 (Fast): Quick compression, good for real-time applications
Level 4-10 (Balanced): Best balance between speed and compression ratio
Level 11-19 (High): Better compression, slightly slower
Level 20-22 (Max): Maximum compression for storage optimization

Example: Compression Level Selection

Choosing the right level for your use case:

Level 3:Default - Perfect for REST APIs and web applications (fast compression, good ratio)
Level 9:Balanced - Ideal for database storage and file archives (better compression, reasonable speed)
Level 19:High - Best for long-term storage and backups (maximum compression, slower)
Step 3

Compress and Encode

Click the "Compress" button to compress your data with Zstandard and automatically encode it to Base64 format:

Instant compression: Data is compressed using Zstandard algorithm
Base64 encoding: Compressed data is automatically encoded to Base64
Compression stats: View original size, compressed size, and savings percentage

Example: Base64-Encoded Compressed Output

The compressed data encoded in Base64 format:

KLUv/SBcjQIA0gQRF6ClOs/8Tynz98A4OacT7wbTIlikftV5BYJN13cUqE2HKIXvTBEpTQw1Zsp9PzQHi4DbZPhCYx2Uy9x3zT2KgbxNCAEDAD0FdMOqDbMM

Compression Ratio: ~65% smaller than original

Step 4

Copy or Download

Use your compressed and encoded data in your applications. The Base64 format makes it safe for transmission over JSON APIs and storage in text-based databases:

Copy to clipboard: One-click copying for immediate use in your code
Download as file: Save the Base64-encoded data as a text file
Ready for APIs: Perfect format for database storage and web services

Example: Using in Your Application

Sample code to send compressed data via API:

// JavaScript example
const compressedData = "KLUv/SBcjQIA0gQRF6ClOs...";

fetch('https://api.example.com/data', {
  method: 'POST',
  headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
  body: JSON.stringify({
    data: compressedData,
    encoding: 'zstd-base64'
  })
});

The compressed Base64 data reduces bandwidth by ~65% compared to sending raw JSON!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Zstandard to Base64 conversion?

Zstandard to Base64 conversion compresses your data using the Zstandard (Zstd) algorithm and then encodes the compressed binary data into Base64 format. This makes it safe for transmission over text-based protocols like JSON APIs, HTTP headers, or storage in databases that expect text data.

Why use Zstandard compression with Base64 encoding?

Zstandard offers better compression ratios than gzip (10-20% better) while maintaining fast decompression speeds. Combined with Base64 encoding, it's perfect for APIs, reducing bandwidth by up to 70% while keeping data in a text-safe format. It's widely used by Facebook, Netflix, and other tech giants.

How do I decompress Zstandard Base64 data?

Use our Base64 to Zstandard tool to decode the Base64 and decompress the Zstandard data back to its original form. Simply paste the Base64 string and click decompress to restore your original data.

What compression level should I use?

For most applications, level 3 (default) provides excellent balance between speed and compression. Use levels 1-3 for real-time applications, 4-10 for general use, and 11-22 for maximum compression when storage space is critical. Higher levels compress better but take slightly longer.

Is Zstandard better than gzip or brotli?

Zstandard offers 10-20% better compression than gzip at similar speeds, and decompresses 2-3x faster than brotli while achieving comparable compression ratios. It's the best choice for applications that need both excellent compression and fast decompression, making it ideal for APIs and real-time data transfer.

Can I use this for large files?

Yes! The tool handles files of various sizes efficiently. Zstandard is designed for excellent performance with large datasets. The Base64 encoding adds about 33% to the compressed size, but the overall result is still significantly smaller than the original uncompressed data.