An ordering where embedded digit sequences compare numerically instead of as characters. Standard string sort: `file1, file10, file2`. Natural sort: `file1, file2, file10`. The number `10` is greater than `2` numerically, but as a string `'1'` comes before `'2'`. Natural sort matches what humans expect.

How is this different from `sort -V` (version sort)?

Conceptually similar — both treat digit runs as numbers. `sort -V` adds extra rules for SemVer (handling pre-release suffixes like `1.0.0-alpha`). For most filenames and IDs, natural sort and version sort produce identical output.

Does it handle leading zeros?

Yes. `01`, `02`, `10` sort the same as `1`, `2`, `10` because the digit-runs are compared as numbers. The original strings (`01`, `02`, `10`) are preserved in the output.

What about Unicode and non-Latin scripts?

Sorted using `Intl.Collator` with the browser's default locale, so accented Latin (`é`, `ü`) and non-Latin scripts (CJK, Cyrillic, Arabic) follow locale-correct ordering. Browser locale is auto-detected; for stable cross-machine output, sort with the locale set explicitly upstream.

What about lines with no numbers?

Pure-text lines compare as standard strings — natural sort degenerates to alphabetical sort when no digits are present. Lines that mix digits and letters (`abc123def456`) compare segment-by-segment: letters as letters, digits as numbers.

Natural Sort

Text Tools· 20 tools

Free natural sort. Sorts lines so embedded numbers compare as numbers — `file2.txt` comes before `file10.txt` instead of after, and version strings like `1.2.10` sort after `1.2.9`. Toggle case sensitivity and direction. Powered by Intl.Collator with the `numeric` option, the same algorithm used by macOS Finder and modern file managers.

Input

Direction

Case-insensitiveRemove blank lines

Powered by · Intl.Collator with `numeric: true`

Same algorithm macOS Finder uses — `file2` comes before `file10`.

8 sorted

backup_v1.2.9.zip
backup_v1.2.10.zip
backup_v1.10.0.zip
file1.txt
file2.txt
file3.txt
file10.txt
file22.txt

Frequently Asked Questions

References

MDN — Intl.Collator numeric option — MDN Web Docs

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Frequently Asked Questions

References and sources

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