How to Format WhatsApp Text (Bold, Italic, Strikethrough & More)

Guides · Social Media · Updated 2026

WhatsApp supports basic text formatting that can make your messages stand out, emphasize points, or add a touch of professionalism to business chats. You don’t need to install any third‑party app—the formatting markers are built right in. But remembering the right symbols while typing on a phone can be fiddly. Toolzo’s WhatsApp Text Formatter gives you a live preview and one‑click copy, so you never send an accidentally broken format again.

Why Use Formatting in WhatsApp?

Bold text grabs attention in group chats and broadcast lists. Italics can soften a statement or indicate a book title. Strikethrough is perfect for showing corrections humorously. Monospace (code block) is ideal for sharing snippets of code or technical data without losing alignment. For small businesses, formatted messages look more polished and can increase read‑rates.

Step‑by‑Step: Format Text Easily

Open the WhatsApp Text Formatter. Type your plain message or paste an existing one.
Highlight any part of the text and click a formatting button (Bold, Italic, Strikethrough, Monospace) to wrap it with the correct symbols (*, _, ~, ```).
Watch the live preview pane to see exactly how WhatsApp will render the text.
Click “Copy Formatted Text” and paste it into WhatsApp. The formatting will appear immediately.

Tip: You can mix formats. For example, *_bold and italic_* gives you bold italic text. Just nest the markers correctly.

Formatting Symbols Cheat Sheet

Here are the markers WhatsApp recognises:
*bold* → bold
_italic_ → italic
~strikethrough~ → ~~strikethrough~~
```monospace``` → monospace

Remember, the markers must be placed directly against the words without spaces. If you write * bold * (with spaces), it won’t work. Our tool prevents that mistake.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does formatting work on WhatsApp Web and Desktop?

Yes, it’s supported everywhere—Android, iOS, WhatsApp Web, and the desktop app.

Can I send formatted text to someone who doesn’t have the latest WhatsApp version?

Formatting is backward‑compatible; older versions simply display the markers as plain text.

Is there a character limit for formatted messages?

No, the same message length limits apply (up to 4096 characters for regular messages).

Can I format parts of a word?

Yes, you can bold or italicise a few letters inside a word. Our tool lets you select exact portions.

Is it free and private?

Absolutely. The text never leaves your browser.

Format Your WhatsApp Text