Invisible Character Detector | Find Common Hidden Characters in Text
Paste any text and scan it for a curated set of invisible, zero-width, and directional-formatting Unicode characters — with the position and code point of every match found.
This scanner checks against a curated list of common invisible and directional-formatting characters, not the full Unicode Standard. A result of “none found” means none of the characters on this list were present — it doesn’t rule out every possible hidden or unusual character. Very long input may also be slower to scan, since this runs in your browser.
Scan Summary
Character Index
Every detected hidden character from our list, in order of appearance, with its 1-based Unicode code-point position (not a byte offset or UTF-16 index).
| # | Codepoint | Name | Type | Review | Context |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scan some text to see results here. | |||||
Highlighted Text
Your original text, with every detected character marked and numbered to match the index above.
Security Notes
This text contains characters worth a closer look
Finding one of these characters doesn’t by itself mean the text is malicious — directional and formatting controls have legitimate uses too. Review the context before drawing conclusions.
Export Report
Copy the findings in a format you can paste into a ticket, log, or spreadsheet.
Invisible, Zero-Width & Non-Standard Spacing Characters
Some of these — like the No-Break Space — are visible-width space characters rather than truly invisible ones; they’re included because they’re easy to confuse with the standard space and often show up in the same kinds of text tricks.
| Codepoint | Name | Typically Used For |
|---|---|---|
| U+200B | Zero Width Space | An invisible word/line-break opportunity, often repurposed for blank spacing tricks |
| U+3164 | Hangul Filler | Sometimes used to create blank-looking names on platforms whose fields happen to accept it |
| U+00A0 | No-Break Space | A visible-width space character that prevents a line break at that point |
| U+2060 | Word Joiner | Prevents a line break between adjacent characters without adding visible width |
| U+202E | Right-to-Left Override | Forces following text to display in right-to-left order — sometimes misused to disguise file names |
See the full catalog of 20+ blank and invisible characters →
Use Cases
Inspect a Username
Check usernames, display names, and game names for hidden or unusual Unicode characters from our detection list.
Check a Suspicious Message
Scan pasted links and messages for selected invisible or directional characters that can affect how text is displayed — note this doesn’t catch every spoofing technique, such as homoglyph domains.
Audit Copy-Pasted Content
Catch invisible characters that snuck in when copying text between apps.
Content Moderation
Give moderators a fast, read-only way to check reported text for common hidden-character tricks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can hidden characters be dangerous?
Most are harmless formatting artifacts, but a few — like directional overrides — have been used to disguise file names or spoof how text displays. The presence of such a character doesn’t by itself mean the text is malicious; scanning just helps you see what’s there so you can judge the context.
Does this tool store or upload my text?
No. This detector’s scanning code runs entirely in your browser and does not upload or store the text you paste. We can’t speak for other scripts that might run elsewhere on a given page (analytics, browser extensions, etc.), but this tool itself sends nothing to a server.
What is a Right-to-Left Override attack?
It’s a trick that uses a hidden character (U+202E) to force the following text to display in right-to-left order, making a file or message appear different from what it actually is — for example, disguising a .exe file to look like it ends in .doc.
Why does my pasted text show characters I never typed?
Copying from certain apps, websites, or messaging platforms can silently carry over invisible formatting characters along with the visible text.
Does “no hidden characters found” mean my text is completely clean?
It means none of the characters on this tool’s detection list were found — not that the text contains no unusual Unicode characters at all. This detector checks a curated set of common invisible and directional characters, not the entire Unicode Standard.
Can I scan a whole document, or only short text?
You can scan text ranging from short usernames and messages to longer passages, subject to normal browser performance limits — this is a paste-in scanner, not a file/document uploader.