Text Compare
Compare two texts and highlight every addition, deletion and change.
How to use Text Compare
- Paste the original text on the left and the changed version on the right.
- Choose whether to compare by lines, words or characters.
- Read the highlighted result: green is added, red and struck through is removed.
How it works
The comparison uses the Myers difference algorithm (via the open-source diff library), the same approach used by Git, to find the smallest set of insertions and deletions that turns the original into the new version.
Lines mode is best for code and lists, Words for prose, and Characters for spotting single-letter typos or changed numbers. Nothing is uploaded, so you can safely compare contracts, drafts or configuration files.
Frequently asked questions
Which mode should I use?
Use Lines for code, CSV and lists; Words for articles and documents; Characters for short strings such as IDs, where one changed letter matters.
Can I compare Word or PDF documents?
Copy the text out of each document and paste it here. For PDFs, extract the text first with PDF to Text.
Is it safe to compare confidential text?
Yes. Both texts stay in your browser; there is no server copy and no share link.
Why is a moved paragraph shown as deleted and added?
Diff algorithms describe changes as insertions and deletions, so a block that moved appears removed in one place and added in another.
Limitations
- Very large inputs in Characters mode can be slow; use Lines or Words for long documents.
- Formatting (bold, fonts) is not compared, only the plain text.
Last reviewed November 9, 2026. How we build and test tools.