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Unicode Normalizer: NFC, NFD, NFKC and NFKD

This free tool converts text between the four Unicode normalization forms. It fixes strings that look equal but compare as different, such as é written as one character or as e plus an accent.

By Debmedia Technologies LLP · Kolkata, India · Updated

What Is It and When Do You Need It?

Unicode lets the same text be stored in more than one way. This causes failed searches, duplicate records and login problems that are hard to see.

Paste the text, pick a form and compare the counts.

How to Use This Tool

  1. Enter or paste your input in the box or boxes above.
  2. Choose the options, if there are any.
  3. Press the button to run the tool.
  4. Read the result and use the copy button where one is shown.

How the Calculation Works

The tool calls the standard normalize function of your browser for the form you choose. It then counts the code points and characters before and after and reports whether the text changed.

Worked Example

The text e + combining acute has 2 code points in NFD and 1 code point (é) in NFC. The ligature fi becomes fi in NFKC.

Common Uses

  • Cleaning data before import.
  • Making search work across accents.
  • Fixing file names.
  • Comparing user input.

Tips and Common Mistakes

  • Normalize both sides before comparing strings.
  • Use NFC for text you will store.
  • Use the invisible character remover for hidden characters.
  • Check the first result against a case you already know, so you can trust the tool for the rest.
  • Nothing you type leaves your device. The work is done by your browser, so it also works with a slow connection once the page has loaded.

Next, you may need the accent adder, invisible character remover, character counter, text repeater.

Everything runs in your browser. Nothing you type is uploaded, stored or sent to any outside service.

Frequently Asked Questions

The same visible letter can be stored in different ways. For example é can be one code point or e followed by a combining accent.
NFC is the usual choice for storage and the web. Use NFD to separate accents and NFKC to turn look-alikes like fi or ① into plain letters.
Compatibility. It also replaces characters such as ligatures, full-width letters and circled numbers with their plain equivalents.
NFC and NFD do not. NFKC and NFKD may, because they replace compatibility characters.

Disclaimer: results are calculated in your browser from the numbers you enter. Check important results before you rely on them for money, health, safety or legal decisions.