πΎ Glitch Text Generator (Zalgo Text Maker)
By ToolNimba Editorial Team Β· Updated 2026-06-21
This glitch text generator turns ordinary words into distorted, corrupted-looking text by stacking random Unicode combining marks above, through and below each letter, the style often called Zalgo or cursed text. Type anything in the box, drag the intensity slider from subtle to extreme, and copy the result to paste into social posts, usernames, bios, chat and more. Everything runs in your browser, so your text is never uploaded.
What is the Glitch Text Generator?
Glitch text, also known as Zalgo text or cursed text, is not a special font. It is normal letters with extra invisible-anchor characters layered on top of them. Unicode (the universal standard behind digital text) defines a group of characters called combining diacritical marks. Normally these are used to place an accent on a letter, like the acute over an "e". A combining mark has no width of its own: it renders attached to whatever character comes before it. The glitch effect simply stacks many of these marks on a single letter so the glyph appears to overflow and bleed into the lines above and below.
The combining marks live mostly in the range U+0300 to U+036F, plus extra marks scattered nearby. This tool sorts them into three groups by where they sit: marks above the letter, marks in the middle (overlays and strike-throughs), and marks below the letter. The toggles let you turn each group on or off, so you can build top-heavy, full-body or bottom-dripping glitch styles. The intensity slider, from 1 to 10, controls how many marks are stacked on each character, with a touch of randomness so no two letters look identical and the result feels organically corrupted.
Because the output is plain Unicode text and not an image, you can copy it and paste it almost anywhere that accepts text: Instagram and TikTok captions, Discord messages, X posts, YouTube comments, game tags and chat. Spaces and line breaks are left clean so the text stays readable, and the original letters underneath are unchanged, which is why the same words are still technically present even though they look broken. Each time you change a setting or press Reroll, fresh random marks are chosen, so you can keep generating variations until one looks right.
A quick word of caution: heavy glitch text can overflow into neighbouring lines, some apps strip or limit combining marks, and screen readers may read the underlying letters one mark at a time. Use lower intensity for usernames and form fields, and save the extreme settings for decorative one-off posts where a little chaos is the point.
When to use it
- Making a social media caption, comment or post visually jump out with a corrupted, glitchy aesthetic.
- Creating spooky or cursed usernames, gamer tags and display names for Discord, gaming and streaming.
- Designing horror, vaporwave, cyberpunk or edgy graphics where distorted lettering fits the mood.
- Adding a glitch effect to chat messages and statuses as a fun, eye-catching novelty.
How to use the Glitch Text Generator
- Type or paste the text you want to corrupt into the input box.
- Drag the intensity slider from 1 (subtle) toward 10 (extreme) to add more marks.
- Toggle the Above, Middle and Below boxes to control where the glitch spreads.
- Press Copy to put the glitch text on your clipboard, or Reroll for a new random variation.
Formula & method
Worked examples
You want a subtle glitch on the word "void" for a username, keeping it readable.
- Type void into the input box.
- Set the intensity slider to 2 so only a couple of marks stack per letter.
- Leave all three position toggles (Above, Middle, Below) on for an even spread.
- Each letter keeps its base shape but gains light accents above and below, like vΜ₯ΜoΜiΜ¬ΜdΜ.
- Press Copy and paste it as your name.
Result: void becomes a lightly corrupted vΜ₯ΜoΜiΜ¬ΜdΜ that is still easy to read.
You want an extreme, dripping glitch effect for a horror-themed post header.
- Type your header text, for example ERROR.
- Drag the intensity slider to 10 so many marks stack on each character.
- Turn off the Above toggle and keep Middle and Below on so the marks drip downward.
- The letters fill with overlays and trailing marks beneath, bleeding into the line below.
- Press Copy, then paste it into your caption. Use Reroll if you want a different chaotic pattern.
Result: ERROR becomes a heavy, downward-dripping glitch block ideal for a horror post.
How the intensity slider changes the look
| Intensity | Marks per letter | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 2 | Very few | Usernames, form fields, readable text |
| 3 to 5 | Moderate | Captions and comments with a clear glitch vibe |
| 6 to 8 | Heavy | Decorative headers and graphics |
| 9 to 10 | Extreme | Full cursed effect, may overflow lines |
Mark position groups
| Toggle | What it adds | Example range |
|---|---|---|
| Above | Accents and marks on top of letters | U+0300 to U+036F |
| Middle | Overlays and strike-through marks | U+0334 to U+0338 |
| Below | Marks that hang under letters | U+0316 to U+0333 |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using maximum intensity everywhere. Cranking the slider to 10 looks dramatic but the marks overflow into nearby lines and many apps will trim them. For usernames, bios and anything practical, keep intensity at 1 to 3 so the text stays legible.
- Assuming it pastes perfectly into every app. Some platforms limit or strip combining marks, and a few older devices show them as boxes or render them inconsistently. Always paste a test into the destination app before relying on the effect.
- Expecting it to stay searchable or accessible. The underlying letters are intact, but search and screen readers may read each combining mark separately or ignore the text. Do not use glitch text for real names, links or anything that must be found or read aloud.
- Thinking the result is fixed. Each render picks marks at random, so the same input produces different output every time. If you find a look you like, copy it right away, because pressing Reroll or changing a setting will generate a new pattern.
Glossary
- Glitch text
- Normal text overloaded with stacked Unicode combining marks so it looks distorted or corrupted.
- Zalgo
- The popular nickname for heavy glitch text, named after an internet meme about creeping corruption.
- Combining mark
- A zero-width Unicode character that renders attached to the character before it, normally used for accents.
- Diacritical mark
- A small sign added to a letter, such as an accent or cedilla, many of which are reused here to build the glitch effect.
- Code point
- The numeric value Unicode assigns to a character, used here to identify each combining mark.
- Intensity
- The setting from 1 to 10 that controls how many combining marks are stacked on each character.
Frequently asked questions
What is glitch text?
Glitch text is ordinary text with many Unicode combining marks stacked on top of, through and beneath each letter, making the words look distorted or corrupted. It is also called Zalgo or cursed text. The base letters are unchanged underneath, so it is real text rather than an image.
How do I make glitch text to copy and paste?
Type your text in the box above, set the intensity slider and mark toggles to taste, then press Copy. The glitch version is placed on your clipboard so you can paste it into a caption, username, comment or message.
Will glitch text work on Instagram, TikTok and Discord?
Usually yes, because these platforms accept Unicode. However heavy glitch text may be trimmed or limited, and a few apps strip combining marks. Use a lower intensity and always paste a test before posting something important.
Why does the output change every time?
The marks are chosen at random on each render, so every result is a unique variation. Press Reroll to generate a fresh pattern, and copy a version as soon as you find one you like, because changing any setting creates a new one.
Is glitch text the same as Zalgo text?
Yes. Zalgo text is just the well-known name for this style of heavily stacked combining marks. This generator produces the same effect, and the intensity slider lets you choose anything from a light glitch to a full Zalgo overload.
Is my text sent anywhere?
No. The entire transform runs in your browser using a built-in list of combining marks. Your text is never uploaded, stored or shared, and the tool keeps working even if you go offline after the page loads.