What Is AES Encryption?
AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) is a symmetric-key encryption algorithm used worldwide to protect sensitive data. This tool uses authenticated AES-GCM (Galois/Counter Mode), which encrypts the text and verifies its integrity so altered ciphertext is rejected during decryption. It derives a 256-bit key from your password using PBKDF2 with SHA-256, 100,000 iterations, and a random 16-byte salt, then uses a fresh 12-byte IV for each encryption.
How to Use This AES Encryption Tool
- 1Select the Encrypt or Decrypt tab.
- 2The tool uses authenticated AES-GCM, which detects altered ciphertext during decryption.
- 3Select the output format — Base64 for compact output or Hex for a hexadecimal representation.
- 4Enter your plaintext (or ciphertext for decryption) and a password.
- 5Click the button — the result appears below with a copy option.
Common Use Cases for AES Encryption
Encrypting sensitive notes or messages
Protect private messages, API keys, or credentials before sharing them through insecure channels like email or chat.
Client-side encryption before cloud upload
Encrypt files or data in the browser before uploading to cloud storage, ensuring the provider cannot read your content.
Testing encryption workflows
Developers can quickly test AES encryption and decryption logic, verify output formats, and debug interoperability issues.
Secure clipboard sharing
Encrypt text, share the ciphertext with a colleague, and provide the password through a separate channel for secure communication.
Frequently asked questions
Does this tool detect tampered ciphertext?
Yes. AES-GCM provides authenticated encryption, so decryption fails if the ciphertext or authentication tag has been altered, or if the password is wrong.
How is the encryption key derived from my password?
The tool uses PBKDF2 with SHA-256, 100,000 iterations, and a random 16-byte salt to derive a 256-bit AES key from your password. The salt is prepended to the ciphertext so decryption can regenerate the same key.
Can I decrypt data encrypted by another AES tool?
Only if the other tool uses the same AES-GCM envelope and PBKDF2 parameters. This tool stores the salt, IV, ciphertext, and authentication tag in its own Base64 or Hex output, so it is designed to decrypt its own output.
Is my password or data sent to a server?
No. All encryption and decryption happens locally in your browser using the Web Crypto API. No data or passwords ever leave your device.