Glitch Text (Zalgo)

What is Zalgo or glitch text?

Zalgo text, also called glitch text or 'cursed' text, is that text that looks corrupted, with symbols spilling above and below the letters. Our generator creates it instantly: type something, choose how much distortion you want and copy it to paste anywhere.

It isn't a font or an image, but normal text with many combining Unicode marks stacked over each character. The result gives a feeling of error, chaos or 'possession' that's very popular in creepy aesthetics and across the internet.

• Based on real Unicode combining marks.
• Gives a corrupted, chaotic or 'cursed' look.
• It isn't a font: you install nothing.
• Copy and paste like any other text.

How to use the glitch text generator

1. Type or paste your text in the box.
2. Choose the intensity: mild, normal or max.
3. Press 'Reshuffle' to get a different variation.
4. Copy the result and paste it wherever you want.

The intensity levels

Mild adds few marks for a subtle touch; Normal achieves the classic glitch effect; and Max stacks a huge amount of marks for total chaos. Since the marks are picked at random, each reshuffle gives a slightly different result.

What glitch text is used for

• Creepy, horror or 'cursed' aesthetics in profiles and covers.
• Gaming and Discord: names and messages with a chaotic touch.
• Memes and visual jokes.
• Glitch art and typographic experiments.

How it works under the hood: combining marks

Unicode has combining diacritical marks (roughly from U+0300 to U+036F), meant to place accents and signs over letters. Glitch text abuses them by stacking many over a single character, and since they don't take their own slot but 'attach' to the previous letter, they pile up and down to create the effect.

Why does it sometimes get cut off or look odd?

Each app decides how much space it leaves between lines. If glitch text has many marks, some apps clip the overflow so it doesn't break the layout, so the same text can look complete in one place and cut off in another.

Tips for using it well

• Use it sparingly: small doses have more impact.
• Combine it with normal text so you don't lose readability.
• Test the result on the target site before posting.
• Avoid using it for important information or links.

Accessibility and readability

Screen readers may read these marks one by one or interpret them oddly, because they aren't normal letters. Out of respect for accessibility, don't write long text or important data in glitch: keep it for decorative touches and playful content.

Zalgo, creepypastas and the 'cursed' aesthetic

The name 'Zalgo' comes from an internet meme tied to the disturbing and to creepypastas, and over time it came to name this corrupted text style. Today it's part of 'cursed' visual culture: deliberately unsettling or broken images and texts that thrive on social media and meme communities.

Ideas and usage examples

• Profile: a name with a light glitch to stand out.
• Cover or banner: a title with a corrupted effect.
• Discord: a 'possessed' message as a joke.
• Art: combine glitch with symbols to build compositions.

Can it be combined with other styles?

Yes. Since it's Unicode text, you can mix it with symbols, emojis or even other converters on the site (for example, small caps) to create unique effects. Just remember that the more glitch, the less readable the whole thing becomes.

Frequently Asked Questions