Last reviewed on 2026-09-25
Short answer: no. Notepad++ is a free desktop app for Windows and there is no official online version. If you only need to jot something down right now, you can use a free online notepad in this browser tab. If you need Notepad++ itself, download it from notepad-plus-plus.org.
CNotepad is not Notepad++ and is not affiliated with it. We wrote this page because many people land here searching for "notepad++ online" and deserve a straight answer.
Notepad++ is a free, open-source text and source-code editor for Windows. It is popular with developers and IT staff for syntax highlighting in dozens of programming languages, tabbed editing, powerful search and replace with regular expressions, macros and a large plugin ecosystem. It is released under the GPL licence and is free for personal and commercial use.
No. The project only publishes Windows builds. Websites that claim to be "Notepad++ online" are unofficial. Some are fine, but be careful with any site that asks you to install an extension or download an "online installer". Get the real app only from the official site or the project's GitHub page.
| If you want to… | Use |
|---|---|
| Write quick notes, lists or drafts without installing anything | An online notepad such as CNotepad |
| Edit code with syntax highlighting on Windows | Notepad++ from notepad-plus-plus.org |
| Use Notepad++ on Mac or Linux | Run the Windows version through Wine, or pick a native cross-platform editor |
| Edit code in a browser | A browser-based code editor. CNotepad is built for notes, not code. |
A lot of "notepad++" searches come from people who just want somewhere to type: a phone number during a call, a shopping list, a rough draft, a to-do list for the afternoon. For that, installing a code editor is overkill. An online notepad opens instantly and works on any computer, including school or work machines where you cannot install software.
CNotepad gives you:
It does not do syntax highlighting, regular-expression replace, macros or plugins. If you need those, Notepad++ or another code editor is the right tool.
Open the free online notepad →
Yes. It is free, open-source software under the GPL, for both personal and commercial use.
Notepad++ saves ordinary text files (.txt, .html, .py and so on). Any text editor can open them. To view one in CNotepad, open the file in a desktop text viewer, copy the text and paste it into a note.
Not natively. Mac users typically run it through Wine or use a native editor instead.
No. CNotepad is an independent online notepad for quick notes and is not affiliated with the Notepad++ project.