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CipherRegister

XOR Cipher

Encrypt or decrypt bytes with a repeating XOR key, using text, hex, or Base64 input and output.

Learn how XOR encryption works

Input text

Output hex

Byte inspector

Add valid input and a valid key to see how each input byte is XORed with the repeated key bytes.
Using This Tool: Guide & Notes Show guide

The XOR cipher combines input bytes with repeating key bytes. The same operation encrypts and decrypts when the same key is used.

How to use it

  • Choose Encrypt or Decrypt. XOR uses the same byte operation in both directions.
  • Select text, hex, or Base64 for the input, key, and output formats.
  • Enter a key. The key bytes repeat across the full input.
  • Use the byte inspector to confirm exactly which input byte and key byte create each output byte.

Options and settings

  • Text format uses UTF-8 bytes before XOR is applied.
  • Hex format is best for arbitrary ciphertext bytes that may not be readable text.
  • Base64 format is useful when the XOR bytes need to travel as plain text.
  • Group hex bytes and uppercase hex output only affect display.

Notes

  • Repeating-key XOR is not secure modern encryption.
  • A one-byte XOR key is especially weak and is mainly useful for demonstrations and puzzles.
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Base64 Encoder / Decoder Encode text into Base64 or decode Base64 back into readable UTF-8 text. Hex Encoder / Decoder Encode readable text into hexadecimal byte values or decode hex back into readable UTF-8 text. Base32 Encoder / Decoder Encode text into RFC 4648 Base32 or decode Base32 back into readable UTF-8 text. Ascii85 / Base85 Encoder / Decoder Encode bytes into Ascii85/Base85 text, or decode Base85 variants back into readable UTF-8 or hex bytes.
Related Article

XOR Cipher: The Tiny Bit Operation Behind Real Cryptography

How one simple either-or rule turns text into bytes, bytes into ciphertext, and classical cipher thinking into the logic of stream ciphers, one-time pads, and modern encryption.

Read the article
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A note from the team

We build these tools because we love cryptography, encoding, and making difficult ideas easier to explore. If they've helped you, even a small coffee means the world to the project. Thank you!

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