Zalgo Text Generator - Free Glitch Text & Cursed Text Maker
What is zalgo text?
Zalgo text (also known as glitch text, cursed text, creepy text, or corrupted text) is a style that layers Unicode combining marks above, through, and below your characters. The result is chaotic, horror-style text that looks like it's been corrupted or possessed.
The name comes from the Zalgo creepypasta meme, and the effect is popular for:
- Horror-themed content and memes
- Gaming usernames and Discord servers
- Stream overlays and thumbnails
- Spooky social media posts
- Halloween marketing
How to make glitch text
- Enter your text: Type or paste any words, phrases, or emojis.
- Choose intensity: Select low, medium, or high distortion to control the glitch level.
- Copy the cursed text: Click Copy and paste your z̷a̸l̵g̴o̶ ̷t̵e̴x̶t̵ anywhere that supports Unicode.
Intensity levels explained
- Low: Subtle distortion, still readable. Good for longer text.
- Medium: Balanced effect with clear glitch appearance. Best for most uses.
- High: Maximum chaos with heavy stacking. Use for short, dramatic phrases.
Zalgo text examples
Low intensity
Input: enter if you dare
Output: e̴n̶t̷e̴r̵ ̶i̷f̶ ̵y̷o̵u̶ ̵d̷a̶r̷e̶
Medium intensity
Input: the void calls
Output: t̸̰͋h̷͎̐e̵̗͐ ̶͔̌v̷̱̌o̷͉̔i̸̖͒d̵̰̈́ ̶̰̌c̷͓̓a̴͍̿l̷̖̚l̸̄ͅs̸͎̈
High intensity
Input: zalgo
Output: z̸̨̧̛̳̲͙͕̗̬̥͎̍̈́̇͐̓̈́̌͘̕͝a̷̢̛͓̻̺̹̣̫͙͐̒̈́̀̊̈́̿̈́l̶̨̧̮̼̤̱̺͚̜̫̺̀̔̿̈̊̕g̴̢̛͖̝̠̩̝̈́̃̓̀̈́̈́̊̕o̷͔̜͕̯̭̥̝̯̬̗͋̆̈́̀̓̈́͌͘̕
Popular uses for cursed text
Discord servers and gaming
Create creepy server names, channel names, or usernames that stand out. Glitch text works in Discord bios, status messages, and forum posts.
Horror memes and content
Add instant creepy vibes to any text for memes, YouTube thumbnails, or social posts. Perfect for horror gaming content.
Twitch and streaming
Use zalgo text in stream overlays, alerts, or titles for a glitchy aesthetic without needing image editors.
Halloween and seasonal content
Create spooky text for Halloween posts, party invitations, or themed marketing campaigns.
Spoiler hiding (creative use)
High-intensity zalgo can partially obscure words while keeping them technically visible—a creative alternative to actual spoiler tags.
Common issues and fixes
Text appears blank or box characters
Some fonts don't render combining marks well. Try:
- Pasting into a different app
- Using a modern font (most social platforms work fine)
- Reducing intensity from high to medium
Too distorted to read
Lower the intensity setting to keep text readable. Use high intensity only for short, dramatic words like headers.
Inconsistent appearance across devices
Font rendering varies between devices and operating systems. The effect still works—it just looks slightly different. Preview on your target platform before posting important content.
Tips for effective zalgo text
- Short is better: Keep glitchy text to a few words for maximum impact
- Contrast matters: Pair zalgo headers with normal body text for readability
- Test first: Preview on both light and dark themes to ensure visibility
- Combine effects: Use zalgo for titles, then bold text for subheadings
The meaning behind zalgo
Zalgo originated from a internet meme and creepypasta character representing chaos and corruption. The text style mimics the "corrupted reality" aesthetic associated with the meme. Today, it's primarily used for aesthetic purposes in gaming, horror content, and creative expression.
Related text generators
- Strikethrough Text Generator - Cross out text with lines through it
- Upside Down Text Generator - Flip text upside down
- Gothic Text Generator - Create medieval-style text
- Bubble Text Generator - Convert to bubble letters
Privacy and security
All zalgo text generation happens 100% locally in your browser. No text is uploaded, stored, or transmitted to any server. Your input and creepy output remain completely private.