Wiki·Lens

/ˈwɪk.i lenz/ · noun, browser extension

A browser extension that reveals the Wikipedia article behind any text you select: the article's images, the full opening paragraph, a handful of quick facts, and a link to read on, in a small popup right where you are.
figurative. The shortest distance between curiosity and knowledge.

Try it right here Free · open source · no tracking

§ 1

Try it on this very page

Select any dotted term below. This demo calls the real Wikipedia and Wikidata APIs, exactly like the extension does. Shown at the Large size, quick facts included.

When Albert Einstein published his theory of relativity, the speed of light became the universe's one fixed rule. Meanwhile, in quieter corners of nature, photosynthesis keeps converting sunlight into life, and the aurora paints the night sky over Helsinki.

Every dotted phrase is an exact Wikipedia article title. Select one, or select something that isn't an article, and notice how WikiLens politely stays out of your way.

§ 2

Characteristics

fig. aExact by default

A preview appears only when your selection is precisely an article's title. Ambiguous titles offer a tidy “may refer to:” list, and redirects like “USA” resolve with one switch.

fig. b23 languages

Point it at any Wikipedia edition (English, Suomi, Deutsch, 日本語 and nineteen more), with an automatic English fallback.

fig. cYours to shape

Three sizes; light, dark, and auto themes. The Large popup adds quick facts from the article's infobox (born, founded, population), and clicking one opens its preview right in the popup, back button included. Pin the popup, drag it anywhere, copy a citation, or flip through images with the mouse wheel.

fig. dPrivate by design

Your selection travels to Wikimedia's APIs (Wikipedia and Wikidata) and nowhere else. No analytics, no tracking, nothing sold. The code is open for inspection.

§ 3

Installation

Chrome, Edge, Brave, or Vivaldi: install from the Chrome Web Store in one click.
Firefox: install from Firefox Add-ons in one click.
Tinkerers: clone the source and load it unpacked via chrome://extensions.
Select some text anywhere, or press Ctrl+Shift+L. That's it.