• EasyStackTools189+ Free Tools
  • EVM Tools
    • Word Counter
    • Character Counter
    • Text Case Converter
    • Slug Generator
    • Remove Duplicate Lines
    • Lorem Ipsum Generator
    • Reverse Text
    • Remove Extra Spaces
    • Line Break Remover
    • Word Frequency Counter
    • Randomcase Text
    • Invert Text Case
    • Repeat Text
    • Replace Text
    • Truncate Text
    • Trim Text
    • Left-Pad Text
    • Right-Pad Text
    • Rotate Text
    • Circularly Rotate Text Left
    • Circularly Rotate Text Right
    • Delete Empty Lines
    • Shuffle Text Lines
    • Reverse Text Lines
    • Convert Spaces to Tabs
    • Convert Tabs to Spaces
    • Center Text
    • Right-Align Text
    • Justify Text
    • Word Wrap
    • Split into Words
    • Number Text Lines
    • Prefix Text Lines
    • Suffix Text Lines
    • Prefix and Suffix Text Lines
    • Join Text Lines
    • Split Strings
    • Find Longest Text Line
    • Find Shortest Text Line
    • Format Text Columns
    • Sort Text
    • Sort Numbers
    • Sort Words
    • Sort Text by Length
    • Sort IP Addresses
    • Filter Text Lines
    • Grep Text
    • Head Text
    • Tail Text
    • Extract Line Range
    • Find Letter Frequency
    • Find Phrase Frequency
    • Extract All Emails
    • Extract All URLs
    • Extract All Numbers
    • Text Statistics
    • Convert Text to Binary
    • Convert Binary to Text
    • Convert Text to Octal
    • Convert Octal to Text
    • Convert Text to Decimal
    • Convert Decimal to Text
    • Morse Code
    • UTF-8 Encode/Decode
    • Base32 Encode/Decode
    • Uuencode / Uudecode
    • Strip HTML Tags
    • Convert Text to HTML Entities
    • Remove Text Character Accents
    • Remove Text Punctuation
    • Add Thousands Separators
    • Add Backslashes
    • Strip Backslashes
    • Extract Regex Matches
    • Replace Regex Matches
  1. Home
  3. Text Tools
  5. Head Text

Head Text

Extract the first N lines from text. Like the head command. Useful for previewing or trimming from the start.

Read the guide

First N lines

Output will appear here...

Guide and examples

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

  1. Open the Head Text tool.
  2. Paste or type your text (multi-line).
  3. Enter N (e.g. 10). View the first N lines. Copy the result.
  4. 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.

What input does it accept?

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.

Conclusion and Try the Tool

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

Related Tools

  • Tail Text

    Extract the last N lines from text. Like the tail command. Useful for viewing the end of logs or lists.

  • Extract Line Range

    Extract a range of lines by start and end line number. 1-based. Get lines 5-10, 1-3, etc.

  • Reverse Text Lines

    Reverse the order of lines. Last line becomes first, first becomes last. Preserve line content.

  • Word Counter

    Free online word counter tool. Count words, characters, sentences, and paragraphs instantly. Perfect for writers, students, and SEO professionals.