Do they mean the same? Sort vs Sort out

[Angelwings]

Do ‘sort out these papers by subject’ and ‘sort these papers by subject’ mean the same?

[Arinker]

“Sort out” - organize, understand.
“Sort” - place in some sort of order.

In your sentence they’re probably pretty close. I’d use “sort” unless there is some type of thinking involved.

You can sort a deck of playing cards, but you probably wouldn’t sort them out.

[Angelwings]

Thanks @Arinker