FIGURE OUT
SOUTH AFRICA.
Free, plain-language help to get through life's walls - grants, Home Affairs, jobs, scams and your rights. No sign-up, no fees.
Get through life's walls
Grants & Help
SRD R370, Child Support, Old Age and Disability - how to apply, check your status, and appeal a decline.
OpenGovernment & Admin
Smart ID and passport, driver's licence renewal, registering a business - book online and skip the fixers.
OpenJobs & Opportunity
Find real work, write a CV that gets read, NSFAS and bursaries, and how to claim UIF when you lose your job.
OpenSafety & Rights
Scams, eviction, unfair dismissal and faulty goods - know your rights and the free help that backs them up.
OpenTools that actually work
Password Generator
Generate secure, random passwords instantly with customizable options for length and character types.
SA ID Validator
Validate South African ID numbers and extract information like date of birth, gender, and citizenship.
JSON Formatter & Validator
Format, validate, and minify JSON data. Features syntax highlighting and error detection.
Regex Tester
Test and evaluate regular expressions in real-time with syntax highlighting and match details.
Colour Picker & Converter
Pick colours and convert between HEX, RGB, and HSL formats. Includes WCAG contrast checking.
VAT Calculator
Calculate South African VAT (15%) easily. Add or remove VAT from any amount.
Why we build these tools
At CoolNerds, we build tools because we need them ourselves. The internet is full of utilities that are hidden behind paywalls, bloated with unnecessary features, or plastered with intrusive pop-ups that make them impossible to use. We wanted to create a space where utility comes first. Every tool you find here is designed to do exactly one thing and do it well, without asking for your email address or forcing you to watch a video first.
Our editorial approach is rooted in the South African context. We understand the unique challenges of building and working in tech here-from dealing with load shedding and fluctuating exchange rates to navigating local tax laws like PAYE and VAT. That's why we prioritize building tools that are lightweight, fast, and relevant to our local environment, while still being universally useful. We don't write marketing fluff; we write genuine, straightforward guides and build practical utilities that solve real problems.
Whether you're a developer trying to format a massive JSON file, a freelancer calculating your tax, or just someone who needs a strong password, our goal is to give you the right tool for the job, instantly. We believe that essential digital utilities should be free, accessible, and respect your privacy. That means no tracking your inputs, no saving your data on our servers, and no nonsense. Just tools that work, built by nerds who care about the details.
Built for Anywhere
Global tools, accessible everywhere, no VPN required.
No fluff
Every tool does one thing well. Free tools, no paywalls.
Private Tools
Tool data stays in your browser. Tools run client-side.
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Worth reading
How to Start Investing in South Africa on a Small Budget
You do not need R100,000 to start building wealth in South Africa. Here is a plain-language guide to Tax-Free Savings Accounts, JSE ETFs, and retirement annuities - starting from R500 a month.
How to Use Small Claims Court in South Africa: Recover Up to R20,000 Without a Lawyer
Someone owes you money and the amount is under R20,000. Small Claims Court lets you sue without a lawyer, the filing fee is under R200, and lawyers are not allowed in the hearing. Here is exactly how it works.
How to Read Your South African Payslip
Most South Africans scroll to net pay and stop there. Here is what every line item on a South African payslip actually means - and what to check when something looks wrong.
20 AI tools reviewed with a South African perspective
We checked what works globally, what it costs in ZAR, and what to watch out for.
Browse the AI directory