ASCII Art Text Generator

Convert text into ASCII art banners and decorative text.

Input

Output

Examples

Example 1

HELLO

Example 2

CODE

Example 3

ABC

Understanding ASCII Art Text

ASCII art uses characters from the ASCII character set (letters, numbers, symbols) to create visual designs and text banners. Text-based art predates graphical displays and remains popular for terminal applications, README files, and retro aesthetics.

Block letter ASCII art arranges characters to form large, readable letters. Each character of the input text gets expanded into a multi-line pattern, creating banner-style output. These banners stand out in plain text environments where formatting options are limited.

Different ASCII art styles exist: block letters for readability, graffiti fonts for style, small fonts for compact banners, and figlet-style fonts with ornate designs. The choice depends on context—documentation favors simple, readable styles while creative projects use elaborate designs.

Practical Uses for ASCII Art Banners

Terminal applications use ASCII banners for startup screens, section headers, and branding. CLI tools display ASCII logos to create visual identity without graphical dependencies. This helps users identify applications in screenshots and terminal multiplexers.

README files and documentation benefit from ASCII headers to separate sections visually. GitHub renders them correctly in markdown code blocks, creating clear section dividers without requiring images. This improves navigation in long documentation files.

Code comments can use ASCII art to mark major sections or modules. A banner comment like '======= UTILITIES =======' is more visible than plain text, helping developers quickly locate code sections in large files. Some teams standardize banner formats for consistency.

ASCII Art Generation Techniques

Character mapping defines patterns for each letter. The generator stores multi-line templates for A-Z, 0-9, and common symbols. Input text maps each character to its template, then templates are combined horizontally to form complete words.

Spacing and alignment matter for readability. Characters need consistent height (usually 5-7 lines) and appropriate spacing between letters. Too tight and letters merge; too loose and words fragment. Optimal spacing balances clarity and width.

Font style affects readability and aesthetics. Block fonts use solid characters (█ ▀ ▄) for maximum impact, standard ASCII uses letters/numbers for compatibility, and outline fonts show letter shapes without filling. Choose based on the intended environment.

Width considerations are crucial: ASCII banners can be very wide, causing line wrapping in terminals or editors. Calculate total width before generation, and consider providing condensed fonts or line-wrapping options for long text.

Best Practices for ASCII Art

Use monospace fonts when displaying ASCII art—proportional fonts destroy alignment. Monospace ensures each character occupies equal space, preserving the design. Document this requirement if sharing ASCII art in documentation or emails.

Consider encoding and character set: Stick to basic ASCII (32-126) for maximum compatibility. Extended ASCII or Unicode box-drawing characters look better but may not render correctly across all systems, especially older terminals or certain log viewers.

Optimize for different screen widths: Generate banners that fit within common terminal widths (80 or 120 characters). Provide width warnings or auto-scaling options to prevent broken layouts on smaller screens.

Combine with color codes for enhanced output: ANSI color codes add visual impact to terminal banners. Use libraries like chalk or colorama to color ASCII art, making headers even more distinctive in CLI applications while maintaining plain text compatibility.

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