Getting only the first N lines of text usually means opening a file in an editor or using the head command. The Head Text tool does it in the browser: paste your text, enter N, and get the first N lines—no sign-up and no data sent to a server.
What does Head Text do?
Head Text is a free online tool that returns the first N lines of your text, like the Unix head command. It is useful for previewing or keeping only the start of a file, trimming a list to the first N items, or extracting a header section. All processing runs in your browser; there is no upload, no storage, and no account required.
Key Features
- First N lines — Enter N (e.g. 10); you get the first N lines. If the input has fewer than N lines, you see all of them. No error.
- Line-based — Lines are counted from the top. Any line ending (LF or CRLF) is supported.
- Any input — Paste or type text with line breaks. No size limit for in-browser processing.
- Instant result — Paste, set N, and see the result. Copy when ready.
- Privacy-first — All processing happens in your browser. Your text is never sent to any server.
- No account — Use as often as you need without sign-up.
How to Use Head Text
- Open the Head Text tool.
- Paste or type your text (multi-line).
- Enter N (e.g. 10). View the first N lines. Copy the result.
- Paste into your doc or use for preview. Use the "Use tool" button on the docs page if you are reading this from the documentation.
Real Use Cases
- Preview start of log or file — See the first 10 or 20 lines without loading the whole file. Great for logs or exports.
- Trim list to first N items — Keep only the first N lines (e.g. top 5, top 10). Drop the rest.
- Extract header section — Get the first few lines as a header or intro block.
- Quick sample — Sample the beginning of pasted content before processing the rest.
- Terminal-style workflow — When you do not have head on the machine, use the browser tool.
- Debug and support — Share only the first N lines of a log or config for a ticket.
Why Use Head Text Instead of Alternatives?
- vs. Manual delete — No need to scroll and delete lines after N. One paste, set N, copy.
- vs. Extract Line Range — For a range (e.g. lines 5–10) use Extract Line Range. For "first N" use Head.
- vs. Tail — Tail Text gives the last N lines. Head gives the first N.
- vs. Scripts — No coding. Works in any browser.
You get at most N lines. If the input has fewer lines than N, you see all of them.
Benefits for Developers, Support, and Data Users
- Developers — Quick preview of log or output. No terminal or script needed.
- Support — Extract the start of a log or config for tickets.
- Data users — Sample the beginning of line-based data before full processing.
Common Mistakes
- Fewer than N lines — You get at most N lines. If the input has fewer lines than N, you see all of them.
- Expecting last N lines — This tool is first N. For last N use Tail Text.
- Forgetting to copy — The result is not saved. Copy before closing the tab or refreshing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does head text do?
It returns the first N lines of your text, like the Unix head command. Useful for previewing or keeping only the start of a file.
What if I ask for more lines than there are?
You get all lines. No error. The output is just the available lines up to N.
Paste or type text with line breaks. Enter N (e.g. 10). Lines are counted from the top.
Is my text stored?
No. All processing happens in your browser. Your text is never sent to any server.
When should I use head?
Use it to preview the start of a log or file, trim a list to the first N items, or extract a header section.
Why did I get fewer than N lines?
You get at most N lines. If the input has fewer lines than N, you see all of them.
Head Text gives you the first N lines in seconds: paste, set N, copy. No account, no server round-trip. For last N lines use Tail Text, for a range use Extract Line Range, and for reversing order use Reverse Text Lines.
Use the Head Text tool to get the first N lines.