Meta's WhatsApp chat platform offers more than just the ability to send messages. It also provides various text formatting options to help you emphasize your messages. Whether you want to make your text bold, italicize it, strikethrough, or change the font, WhatsApp has you covered.

Whatsapp Feature
Here's a quick guide on how to use these text formatting features to enhance your chatting experience, including some additional options to create bullet lists, numbered lists, and more that WhatsApp introduced in February 2024.

Using WhatsApp's Text Formatting Options

1. Bold Text

To make your text bold, enclose it in asterisks *.

Example: *Hello* will appear as Hello.

2. Italic Text

If you want to italicize your text, place it between underscores _.

Example: _Hello_ will turn into Hello.

3. Strikethrough

For strikethrough text, use tildes ~ on either side of your text.

Example: ~Hello~ will be shown as Hello.

4. Monospace Font

To change the font to monospace, enclose your text in triple backticks ```.

Example: ```Hello``` will change the text to a monospace font.

5. Combining Formats

You can also combine these formatting options.

Example: *_Hello_* will make the text both bold and italic.

6. Removing Formatting

If you change your mind and want to remove any formatting, just remove the symbols, and the text will revert to normal. Text formatting in WhatsApp is a handy feature that lets you add a personal touch to your messages.

whatsapp formatting options
Whether you're emphasizing a point, expressing a mood, or just playing around with different styles, these simple formatting tricks can make your conversations more engaging and expressive.

New Formatting Options (February 2024)

As of February 21, 2024, WhatsApp users can use bulleted and numbered lists, block quotes, and inline code to communicate more effectively.

  • Bulleted list: Start a new line with a - (dash) symbol, followed by a space.
  • Numbered list: Start a new line with 1 or 2 digits, followed by a period and a space.
  • Block quote: Start a new line with the > symbol, followed by a space.
  • Inline code: Wrap any code or text you want to highlight using the ` symbol.

whatsapp

All of WhatsApp's text formatting options (Image: WhatsApp)

Remember, these formatting options are available across all WhatsApp platforms, including iOS, Android, and web versions.

Popular Stories

imac video apple feature

Apple Unveils First New Products of 2026

Monday January 26, 2026 1:55 pm PST by
Apple today introduced its first two physical products of 2026: a second-generation AirTag and the Black Unity Connection Braided Solo Loop for the Apple Watch. Read our coverage of each announcement to learn more:Apple Unveils New AirTag With Longer Range, Louder Speaker, and More Apple Introduces New Black Unity Apple Watch BandBoth the new AirTag and the Black Unity Connection Braided...
iPhone 5s

iPhone 5s Gets New Software Update 13 Years After Launch

Monday January 26, 2026 3:56 pm PST by
Alongside iOS 26.2.1, Apple today released an updated version of iOS 12 for devices that are still running that operating system update, eight years after the software was first released. iOS 12.5.8 is available for the iPhone 5s and the iPhone 6, meaning Apple is continuing to support these devices for 13 and 12 years after launch, respectively. The iPhone 5s came out in September 2013,...
Second Generation AirTag Feature

Apple Unveils New AirTag With Longer Range, Louder Speaker, and More

Monday January 26, 2026 6:07 am PST by
Apple today introduced the second-generation AirTag, with key features including longer range for tracking items and a louder speaker. For those who are not familiar, the AirTag is a small accessory that you can attach to your backpack, keys, or other items. Then, you can track the location of those items in the Find My app on the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and iCloud.com. The new...
Apple Logo Spotlight

Apple to Launch These 20+ Products This Year

Sunday January 25, 2026 6:02 pm PST by
2026 promises to be yet another busy year for Apple, with the company rumored to be planning more than 20 product announcements over the coming months. Beyond the usual updates to iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches, Apple is expected to release its all-new smart home hub, which was reportedly delayed until the more personalized version of Siri is ready. Other unique products rumored for ...
Apple Creator Studio

Apple's Next Launch is Today

Tuesday January 27, 2026 2:39 pm PST by
Update: Apple Creator Studio is now available. Apple Creator Studio launches this Wednesday, January 28. The all-in-one subscription provides access to the Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Pixelmator Pro, Motion, Compressor, and MainStage apps, with U.S. pricing set at $12.99 per month or $129 per year. A subscription to Apple Creator Studio also unlocks "intelligent features" and "premium...