What is the Text Diff?
Text Diff highlights the differences between two versions of anything written: contracts, essays, emails, code, config files or data exports. Paste the original on the left and the new version on the right, and every change is marked in red and green.
Compare by line (best for code and lists), by word (best for documents) or by character (best for short strings and IDs). Changed lines are paired side by side with the exact words that changed highlighted, and long unchanged stretches are folded away so the changes stand out.
How to use it
- Paste the original text on the left and the changed text on the right.
- Choose to compare by lines, words or characters.
- Read the highlighted differences, side by side or in one column.
- Turn on Ignore case or Ignore spacing if those differences do not matter.
Example
Original: The quick brown fox Changed: The quick red fox
The quick [−brown] [+red] fox
Features
- Three levels. Compare by line, by word or by individual character.
- Side by side. Changed lines are paired, with the changed words highlighted inside them.
- Unified view. One column with + and − markers, like Git, which suits narrow screens.
- Ignore case or spacing. Skip differences in capitals or in spaces and indentation.
- Fast on big files. Uses the Myers algorithm, as Git does, so long texts with few changes compare instantly.
- Private. Both texts stay in your browser; nothing is uploaded.
Frequently asked questions
Which comparison mode should I use?
Lines for code, configuration files and lists; Words for documents, contracts and articles; Characters for short strings such as IDs, serial numbers and passwords.
What does “unchanged lines” mean?
Long runs of identical lines are folded into one row so you can focus on the changes. Three lines of context are kept around each change.
How do I compare two JSON files?
Use JSON Diff, which compares the data itself and ignores key order and formatting, so you only see real changes.
Is there a size limit?
Texts with many thousands of lines compare quickly. If two texts are almost entirely different, the tool may ask you to compare a smaller part or use the line mode.
Is my text uploaded?
No. The comparison runs in your browser.
Last updated · Free, no sign-up, runs in your browser.