Introduction
Both Notepad and WordPad are free text editors that come pre-installed with Microsoft Windows. At first glance, they may look similar, but in reality, they are made for different purposes.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!If you are confused about which one to use, this article will explain the main differences between Notepad and WordPad in detail.
What is Notepad?
Notepad is a plain text editor. It is designed to create and edit files without any formatting. Files saved in Notepad are usually in .txt format. It is lightweight, simple, and perfect for tasks like:
- Writing quick notes
- Creating scripts or code (HTML, CSS, etc.)
- Editing configuration files
What is WordPad?
WordPad is a basic word processor. It provides some formatting options, but it is not as advanced as Microsoft Word. WordPad supports text as well as rich text format (RTF) files. It is mainly used for:
- Writing formatted documents
- Creating letters, essays, and reports
- Inserting images and different fonts
Key Differences Between Notepad and WordPad
| Feature | Notepad | WordPad |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Basic text editing | Basic word processing |
| Formatting | No formatting (plain text only) | Supports formatting (bold, italic, underline, font size, colors) |
| File Types | .txt, .html, .bat, etc. | .rtf, .docx, .odt, .txt |
| Complexity | Very simple, lightweight | Slightly advanced, supports images & styles |
| Best For | Coding, notes, system files | Documents, letters, small reports |
| Cost | Free (built-in) | Free (built-in) |
When Should You Use Notepad?
- If you want distraction-free writing.
- When working with plain text only.
- For coding, scripting, or editing system files.
- To quickly remove formatting from copied text.
When Should You Use WordPad?
- If you need text formatting like bold, italic, underline.
- When creating documents like resumes, essays, or reports.
- For inserting images, bullets, and different fonts.
- When you don’t need advanced features of Microsoft Word.
Similarities Between Notepad and WordPad
- Both are free and come with Windows.
- Both can open
.txtfiles. - Both are lightweight compared to Microsoft Word.
- Both are easy to use for beginners.
Conclusion
In simple words, Notepad is best for plain text and coding, while WordPad is best for basic document writing with formatting.
If you just need to take quick notes or write code, go with Notepad. But if you want to create a proper document with style and formatting, WordPad will be more useful.
