Palindrome Checker
Free online palindrome checker: instantly test whether a word, phrase or number reads the same forwards and backwards, ignoring spaces, punctuation and case.
Updated 2026-06-14 · Free · No sign-up · Runs privately in your browser
How the Palindrome Checker Works
Type a word, phrase, or number into the box and this tool instantly tells you whether it is a palindrome — text that reads the same forwards and backwards. It shows the verdict plus the cleaned text and its reverse, so you can see exactly what was compared.
By default the checker ignores spaces, punctuation, and capitalization, which is how most people think about palindromes (“A man, a plan, a canal: Panama” counts). Untick that option for a strict comparison where every character, space, and capital must mirror.
How it works
- Normalize — in the default mode the text is converted to lowercase and all characters that are not letters or digits are removed.
- Reverse — the cleaned string is reversed character by character.
- Compare — if the cleaned text exactly equals its reverse, it is a palindrome.
In strict mode steps 1 is skipped, so the raw input is compared directly against its reverse.
Worked Example
Check the phrase:
A man, a plan, a canal: Panama
| Step | Result |
|---|---|
| Normalize | amanaplanacanalpanama |
| Reverse | amanaplanacanalpanama |
| Equal? | Yes — it is a palindrome |
Because the cleaned text matches its reverse, the checker returns a positive result.
Examples of Palindromes
| Type | Example |
|---|---|
| Word | racecar, level, kayak |
| Name | Hannah, Anna, Bob |
| Phrase | ”Was it a car or a cat I saw?” |
| Number | 12321, 1001, 90209 |
Frequently asked questions
What is a palindrome?+
A palindrome is a word, phrase, number or sequence that reads the same forwards and backwards. Classic examples include 'racecar', 'level' and the phrase 'A man, a plan, a canal: Panama'. The checker confirms this by comparing the text to its reverse.
How does the palindrome checker handle spaces and punctuation?+
By default it ignores spaces, punctuation and capitalization, so 'A man, a plan, a canal: Panama' is recognised as a palindrome. Uncheck that option for a strict, character-by-character comparison that requires an exact mirror image.
Can numbers be palindromes?+
Yes. A numeric palindrome reads the same in both directions, such as 12321 or 1001. Paste the digits in and the checker treats them just like letters, comparing the sequence against its reverse.
What is the difference between the default and strict mode?+
Default mode lowercases the text and removes anything that is not a letter or digit before comparing, which suits phrases and sentences. Strict mode compares the raw text exactly, so spaces, punctuation and capital letters all have to mirror perfectly.
Is my text sent to a server?+
No. The check runs entirely in your browser with JavaScript, so whatever you type is never uploaded, logged, or stored. The tool also keeps working offline once the page has loaded.