What is word-level diff?
Word-level diff compares two text blocks word by word rather than line by line, producing more granular change highlighting. This is useful for comparing document revisions, copywriting edits, and content changes where line-level diff is too coarse. All processing runs in your browser.
Word-level comparison
A word-level diff highlights the exact words that changed between two texts, rather than marking a whole line as different when only a single word was edited. That precision makes it ideal for comparing prose — articles, contracts, documentation — where changes are often a word or a phrase inside an otherwise unchanged sentence.
By narrowing the highlight to the specific words added or removed, a word-level diff keeps the surrounding text calm and makes small edits impossible to miss.
When to use word-level over line-level
Line-level diffs suit code, where a line is a natural unit. Prose does not break neatly into lines, so a small wording change can light up an entire paragraph in a line diff. Word-level comparison is the better fit for editing, proofreading, and reviewing written content.
Proofreading with a word diff
For editing and proofreading, a word-level diff is closer to how a person reads: it points to the exact words a reviewer changed, so you can accept or question each edit without re-reading the whole document. It is the difference between reviewing a change and re-reading a page.
How to compare text word by word
- 1Paste both versions. Enter the original text and the edited text on each side.
- 2Click Compare. The specific words that were added or removed are highlighted inline.
- 3Swap to reverse. Use Swap to view the edit from the other direction.
Examples
A single-word edit
Input
Original: the quick brown fox Revised: the quick red fox
Output
the quick [-brown-][+red+] fox
An inserted word
Input
Original: sign here Revised: please sign here
Output
[+please+] sign here
Word diff highlights
How changes appear.
| Highlight | Meaning |
|---|---|
| added word | Present only in the revised text |
| removed word | Present only in the original |
| unchanged | Identical wording in both |
Frequently asked questions
How is word-level diff different from line diff?+
It highlights the individual words that changed rather than marking a whole line. That makes small edits in prose far easier to see.
What is it best for?+
Comparing written content — articles, contracts, documentation, and copy — where changes are usually a word or phrase inside a longer sentence.
Can it handle long documents?+
Yes. Comparison runs in your browser, so length is limited only by your device rather than an upload cap.
Does it ignore punctuation?+
Punctuation is compared as part of the text, so an added comma or period is shown as a change alongside word edits.
Is my text private?+
Yes. Both versions are compared locally and never sent to a server.
Is it free?+
Yes — free with no limits.
Is my text private?+
Yes. Both versions are compared entirely in your browser and are never sent to a server.