How to use the anagram checker
- 1 Type the first word or phrase in the left box and the second in the right box.
- 2 Keep Ignore spaces and punctuation and Ignore accents ticked for phrase anagrams, or untick them for a strict check.
- 3 Read the result: a green box means they are anagrams, an amber box shows the extra letters.
- 4 Check the table to compare how many times each letter appears, or press Try another example.
Anagrams and other word puzzles
An anagram uses every letter exactly once. To test words that read the same backwards, use the Palindrome Checker. For fresh words to play with, the Random Word Generator gives everyday words of any length.
- Ignore spaces for phrase anagrams.
- Turn off accents for strict foreign-language puzzles.
- The letter table shows exactly what to change.
Features
Instant answer
Yes or no as you type, for words and whole phrases.
Shows the difference
Lists the extra letters in each phrase when they do not match.
Letter table
Counts every letter side by side.
When to use it
Crosswords and cryptic clues
Check that an anagram clue really uses the letters of the answer. To unscramble letters instead, try the Random Word Generator for ideas.
Word games
Confirm a guess in Scrabble-style games or puzzle apps.
Teaching spelling
Show students how letters can be rearranged into new words.
Creative names
Test anagram pen names, brand names or usernames. To check if a word reads the same backwards, use the Palindrome Checker.
Related Text tasks
Frequently asked questions
What is an anagram?
An anagram is a word or phrase made by rearranging all the letters of another, using each letter exactly once. Listen and silent, and the eyes and they see, are classic examples.
Do spaces and punctuation count?
For phrase anagrams they are usually ignored, so dormitory and dirty room match. Untick the option if you want spaces and punctuation to count too.
Do capital letters matter?
No. Capitals and small letters are treated as the same, because anagrams are about letters, not case.
What about accented letters?
With the accents option on, é counts as e and ü as u. Turn it off if the accents matter, for example in a French word puzzle.
Is a word an anagram of itself?
Technically yes, since it uses the same letters. The checker points this out when both words are identical.
Can it find anagrams for me?
This tool checks two words you already have. It does not search a dictionary for new anagrams.
Does it work with numbers?
Yes. Digits are counted like letters, so 123 and 321 count as a match.
How do crossword setters use anagrams?
In cryptic crosswords, a word such as broken or mixed signals that some letters must be rearranged. The checker confirms that your answer uses exactly the letters given in the clue, with nothing left over.
Why does the checker say my phrases differ by one letter?
Look for a double letter, such as two Ts or two Ss, or a letter hidden in punctuation such as an apostrophe. The table shows the exact letter and how many times it appears in each phrase.
Is what I type kept private?
Yes. The check runs in your browser, and nothing you type is sent or stored.
How this tool works. These text tools run entirely in your browser with plain JavaScript, so the text you paste never leaves your device and results update as you type. Each tool is tested with real text such as copied PDFs, emails, code, lists, emojis and non-English scripts before it goes live.
Built and reviewed by Hamza Farooq, founder and lead developer
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