This is a comparison between the cut broadcast on American TV networks (e. g. Cartoon Network or USwpix) and the uncut Japanese Version.

While other countries have not yet aired Dragonball Kai, the series was already broadcasted a few times in the USA.
In comparison to Dragonball Z you can immediately see that Dragonball Kai was obviously toned down in a few scenes:

Dragonball Z	Dragonball Kai

Additionally, many violent sequences were not even altered for Dragonball Kai, but cut out in the first place. Thus, you will hardly see any close-up shots of Tenchinhan after Nappa cut half of his left arm off. Also, you do not see Freezer's beam going through Vegeta's chest. Even the well known sequence in which Freezer massacres Kuririn is much more harmless than in Dragonball Z.


Getting ready for US-TV:
The series was censored in order to be bradcasted on US TV. The censoring reminds one of Naruto's US Version. Sometimes there are cuts which are very noticeable due to a crack in the music, while at other times they used a few tricks, e.g. by retouching things or using alternative material. Sometimes they even altered or postponed soundtracks or sound effects in order to make the cuts less noticeable.


The overall difference in time amounts to 56 seconds.
(The rest of the difference in time results from differently long intros.)

0:16
The US TV Version contains an additional shot of Gero turning around. The Uncut Version shows Gero getting beheaded by C-17 instead.
5 sec

Uncut	Cut

2:49
Additional comment of Bulma.
3 sec

4:25
Vegeta punches C-18 in the face. The US TV Version only shows C-18 going down.
0.5 sec

6:14
In the US TV Version, the actual hit has been replaced by a white screen (length: 0.04 sec).
no difference

6:20
The blood has been partially colored black/grey and partially retouched. In addition to that, a single shot is entirely missing.
2.5 sec

Uncut	Cut

6:54
In the US TV Version, the actual hit has been replaced by a white screen (length: 0.04 sec).
no difference

9:31
In the US TV Version, the actual hit has been replaced by a white screen (length: 0.04 sec).
no difference

9:34
In the US TV Version, the actual hit has been replaced by a white screen (length: 0.04 sec).
no difference

11:08
C-18 punches Vegeta in the face.
0.5 sec

11:16
Ditto.
1 sec

11:43
C-18 kicks Vegeta in the face. The US TV Version only shows Vegeta going down.
0.5 sec

12:38
Retouched blood.
no difference

Uncut	Cut

13:18
Ditto.
no difference

Uncut	Cut

13:42
Tenchinhan is being strangled a little longer.
1 sec

13:48
Ditto & retouched blood.
2.5 sec

Uncut	Cut

13:50
Retouched blood.
no difference



13:55
Retouched blood.
no difference



15:12
Tenchinhan is being strangled a little longer.
1 sec

15:23
Piccolo spits blood.
1 sec

16:00
C-18 jumps on Vegeta's back.
7.5 sec

16:26
C-18 also breaks Vegeta's other arm.
1 sec

16:29
Vegeta's subsequent scream is much shorter in the US TV Version.
10 sec

16:41
Ditto.
3 sec

16:46
Ditto.
2 sec

17:10
Vegeta's blood has been colored black/grey.
no difference

Uncut	Cut

20:47
C-18 kisses Kuririn on the cheek.
8 sec

21:28
Vegeta's blood has been colored black/grey.
no difference

Uncut	Cut