CodeDiff Checker — How-to Guide

日本語 English

How to Use CodeDiff Checker

A tool that visually highlights the differences between code or text. Even first-time users can get going in 3 steps.

1

Paste your code

Paste the "reference / sample code" into the left box (sample code),
and "your code" into the right box (my code).

💡 You can also drag & drop a file directly to load it.
2

Click the "Check Diff" button

Click the button to display the differences.

💡 "Ignore whitespace" is off by default. Because trailing spaces can also cause bugs, keep it off in most cases. Turn it on only when differences in editor settings produce noise.
3

Read the color meanings

Differences are shown visually with colors.

Light red (left panel) — a changed line (original code)
Light green (right panel) — a changed line (your code)
Dark red (left only) — a line missing from your code (removed)
Dark green (right only) — a line not in the sample (added)
Red highlight — changed characters (the removed part)
Green highlight — changed words (the added part)

?

When to use it

・When you want to compare the answer with your own code while learning to program

・When you want to see what you changed between before and after an edit

・When you want to find changed parts in article or document text

・When you want to check whether pasted code contains stray characters


Use cases by programming language

Here are typical mistake-spotting scenarios where CodeDiff Checker shines, by language.

CSSTypos in property values

Spot value differences like border-radius: 50%; vs border-radius: 5px;, or a misspelling of display: flex, at a glance with color-coded highlights on both sides.

HTMLMissing closing tags

Pinpoint forgotten closing tags for <div> or <section>, and attribute typos (class vs clas), at the line and character level.

JavaScriptSemicolons & brackets

Compare error-prone details like a const / cosnt typo, missing braces or commas, and wrong function arguments.

PythonIndentation differences

In Python, indentation is part of the syntax. Compare with "Ignore whitespace" off to detect indentation drift from the sample code.

SQLCommas & keyword position

Check SQL mistakes that are hard to catch before running — comma positions in a SELECT clause, the wrong JOIN type, or a table-name typo — via the diff.

JapaneseStray full-width spaces

Visualize full-width spaces ( ) accidentally entered via an IME with a marker — a classic cause of errors in pasted code.


How it differs from other diff tools

There are many ways to check differences, but CodeDiff Checker is built for "learners who want something they can use casually, in the browser alone."

Tool Type Strength Beginner-friendly
git diff CLI Powerful diff integrated with version control △ (needs command-line skills and a Git setup)
Meld Desktop Lightweight, popular cross-platform diff tool ○ (installation required)
WinMerge Desktop Supports folder comparison and 3-way merge ○ (Windows only, installation required)
VS Code diff view Editor Best for comparing change history of the same file ○ (but clunky for comparing two separate snippets)
Diffchecker.com Online Feature-rich; also handles Excel and PDF diffs △ (unified diff format)
CodeDiff Checker Online Side-by-side view, character-level highlighting, full-width space detection ◎ (free, no install, no signup)

Desktop tools like Meld and WinMerge require installation on Windows or Mac, but CodeDiff Checker needs no install and works in the browser alone. It runs on any OS — Windows, Mac, Linux, and smartphones.


Frequently asked questions

Is CodeDiff Checker free to use?

Yes, it is completely free. No account or installation is required — you can use it instantly in your browser.

Which programming languages are supported?

Because it compares on a text basis, it supports any programming language and text file format — Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, Java, Ruby, PHP, Go, Rust, C/C++, Swift, Kotlin, CSS, HTML, SQL, YAML, Markdown, and more.

Is my pasted code sent to a server?

No. All diff processing runs entirely in your browser's JavaScript, so your input is never sent to an external server. You can safely compare proprietary code or text containing personal information.

Can I ignore only whitespace or indentation differences?

Turn on the "Ignore whitespace" checkbox to compare while ignoring trailing spaces and indentation differences. It is off by default. Because trailing spaces can also cause bugs, keep it off in most cases.

Can it detect stray full-width spaces?

Yes. Full-width spaces (U+3000) accidentally entered via a Japanese IME are visualized with an orange marker in the results. A warning banner also appears at the top, so you can see at a glance which side contains them.

How is it different from git diff?

git diff is a powerful tool integrated with version control in a Git repository, but it requires command-line operation and is not suited to comparing separate files or pasted snippets. CodeDiff Checker works by simply pasting into the browser and is optimized for comparing your code against a reference.

Can I load files via drag and drop?

Yes. Drag and drop a file onto a text editor area and its contents load automatically. It supports text file formats such as HTML, CSS, JS, Python, and SQL.

Does it work on smartphones and tablets?

Yes. It is responsive and works in smartphone and tablet browsers. On narrow screens, the code areas and diff results stack vertically.

Can it compare long code or large amounts of text?

All processing happens in your browser, so it depends on your device's performance. A typical laptop or smartphone can display diffs for several thousand lines of code without issues.

Can beginners use it?

Yes — it is designed primarily for beginners. There is no jargon or setup to learn: paste the sample code and your code side by side, press "Check Diff," and the differences are shown in color.

← Back to the tool