Zero-Width Characters Cipher
The encrypted text is here...
Zero-Width Characters Cipher: Hide Secret Messages in Plain Text (Free Tool)
What Are Zero-Width Characters?
Zero-Width Characters are special Unicode characters that take up no visible space when rendered in text — meaning you can’t see them, but they’re still there. They affect text behavior (like line-breaking, joining, or direction) or can be used to embed hidden data — all without altering the visual appearance of the content.
Depending on their function, different zero-width characters have specific Unicode names:
| Character Purpose | English Name / Unicode Name | Unicode Code Point | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zero Width Space | Zero Width Space (ZWSP) | U+200B | Suggests line break opportunities without visible space |
| Zero Width Non-Joiner | Zero Width Non-Joiner (ZWNJ) | U+200C | Prevents cursive joining in scripts like Arabic or Persian |
| Zero Width Joiner | Zero Width Joiner (ZWJ) | U+200D | Forces joining of characters |
| Byte Order Mark / Zero Width No-Break Space | Zero Width No-Break Space (often called BOM when at start of file) | U+FEFF | Used as BOM for UTF encoding; invisible separator in text |
Note:
U+FEFFis called Byte Order Mark (BOM) when placed at the beginning of a file (to indicate UTF encoding), but functions as Zero Width No-Break Space when used within text.
Common Use Cases of Zero-Width Characters in HTML / Web Development:
- Invisible watermarking or tagging: Embed hidden data in text.
- Evading keyword filters: Disrupt word-matching by inserting ZWSP.
- Typography control: ZWJ/ZWNJ manage glyph shaping in complex scripts or emoji.
- Obfuscation or anti-scraping: Confuse text parsers or scrapers by inserting invisible characters.
Example Usage of Zero-Width Characters in HTML / JavaScript:
<p>Hello</p> <!-- "Hel" + ​ (ZWSP) + "lo" — visually appears as "Hello" -->
const str = "Hello\u200BWorld"; // Inserts ZWSP between "Hello" and "World" console.log(str); // Renders as "HelloWorld" visually, but contains hidden character
SEO & Security Notes:
- Search engines typically ignore zero-width characters, but excessive use may be flagged as “hidden text” — potentially harming SEO.
- Security best practice: Sanitize user inputs to detect/remove zero-width characters, preventing obfuscation attacks, XSS, or content s
Why Use a Zero-Width Cipher?
-
Covert Communication: Embed secret notes in social media bios, emails, or chat logs without triggering filters.
-
CTF & Security Challenges: Popular in Capture The Flag competitions — test your skills in finding hidden flags.
-
Anti-Censorship & Bypassing Filters: Break up banned keywords with invisible characters to evade automated detection.
-
Digital Watermarking: Invisible user or source identifiers embedded in shared text for tracking leaks.
-
Educational Fun: Learn about Unicode, steganography, and encoding — no math degree required!
Frequently Asked Questions of Zero-Width Cipher:
-
Q: Does this work on Instagram/Twitter/Discord?
A: Yes! Most platforms support Unicode — your hidden message will remain intact. -
Q: Can I detect zero-width characters?
A: Yes — use browser DevTools, hex editors, or our decoder tool. Some text editors (VS Code, Sublime) show them with plugins. -
Q: Is this encryption?
A: No — it’s steganography. The message isn’t scrambled, just hidden. Combine with encryption for maximum security. -
Q: Can this be used maliciously?
A: Unfortunately, yes. Always inspect suspicious text — especially in emails or URLs.
Related Tools
AAEncode
Encode any text to emoticons! AAEncode is a versatile and efficient online tool designed to encode and decode text using the AAEncode algorithm.
PPEncode
PPEncode can be used to write Perl code using only Perl reserved words. PPEncode Online Tool is a powerful solution designed for encoding text using the PPEncode algorithm.
UUEncode
Tool to Encode/Decode Text with UUEncode. The PPEncode Online Tool stands as a robust solution crafted to encode and decode text using the sophisticated PPEncode algorithm.