WDIFF(1) User Commands WDIFF(1)

# [NAME](#NAME)

wdiff - display word differences between text files

# [SYNOPSIS](#SYNOPSIS)

**wdiff** \[*OPTION*]... *FILE1 FILE2*  
**wdiff** *-d* \[*OPTION*]... \[*FILE*]

# [DESCRIPTION](#DESCRIPTION)

wdiff - Compares words in two files and report differences.

Mandatory arguments to long options are mandatory for short options too.

[**-C**, **--copyright**](#C)

display copyright then exit

**-1**, **--no-deleted**

inhibit output of deleted words

**-2**, **--no-inserted**

inhibit output of inserted words

**-3**, **--no-common**

inhibit output of common words

[**-a**, **--auto-pager**](#a)

automatically calls a pager

[**-d**, **--diff-input**](#d)

use single unified diff as input

[**-h**, **--help**](#h)

display this help then exit

[**-i**, **--ignore-case**](#i)

fold character case while comparing

[**-l**, **--less-mode**](#l)

variation of printer mode for "less"

[**-n**, **--avoid-wraps**](#n)

do not extend fields through newlines

[**-p**, **--printer**](#p)

overstrike as for printers

[**-s**, **--statistics**](#s)

say how many words deleted, inserted etc.

[**-t**, **--terminal**](#t)

use termcap as for terminal displays

[**-v**, **--version**](#v)

display program version then exit

[**-w**, **--start-delete**=*STRING*](#w)

string to mark beginning of delete region

[**-x**, **--end-delete**=*STRING*](#x)

string to mark end of delete region

[**-y**, **--start-insert**=*STRING*](#y)

string to mark beginning of insert region

[**-z**, **--end-insert**=*STRING*](#z)

string to mark end of insert region

# [COMPATIBILITY](#COMPATIBILITY)

Some options that used to provide some unique functionality are no longer recommended, but still recognized for the sake of backwards compatibility.

[**-K**, **--no-init-term**](#K)

Now synonymous to *--terminal*, which never initializes the terminal.

# [AUTHOR](#AUTHOR)

Written by Franc,ois Pinard <pinard@iro.umontreal.ca>.

# [REPORTING BUGS](#REPORTING_BUGS)

Report bugs to <wdiff-bugs@gnu.org>.

# [COPYRIGHT](#COPYRIGHT)

Copyright © 1992, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 Free Software Foundation, Inc.  
This is free software; see the source for copying conditions. There is NO warranty; not even for MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

# [SEE ALSO](#SEE_ALSO)

The full documentation for **wdiff** is maintained as a Texinfo manual. If the **info** and **wdiff** programs are properly installed at your site, the command

**info wdiff**

should give you access to the complete manual.

August 2026 GNU wdiff 1.2.2

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Document: wdiff(1) from wdiff 1.2.2-r8 (Chainguard OS)
Source: https://git.savannah.gnu.org/git/wdiff.git