WhatsApp lets you format your messages with bold, italic, strikethrough, and monospace text — but most people do not know how. These formatting options can make your messages clearer, more expressive, and easier to read. Whether you are emphasizing an important point in a group chat or making a shopping list stand out, text formatting helps you communicate better.
This guide covers every formatting option available in WhatsApp, how to use them on any device, and how OPN Chat’s free WhatsApp Text Formatter makes the process even easier.
What Text Formatting Does WhatsApp Support?
WhatsApp supports four text styles, each triggered by special characters placed around the text you want to format:
| Style | Symbol | Example | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bold | Asterisk * | *Hello* | Hello |
| Italic | Underscore _ | _Hello_ | Hello |
Tilde ~ | ~Hello~ | ||
Monospace | Three backticks ` | ```Hello``` | Hello |
You can also combine styles. For example, *_Bold and Italic_* produces Bold and Italic.
How to Format Text on Android
On Android, you have two methods: use the built-in menu or type the symbols manually.
Using the menu:
- Type your message in the text field.
- Tap and hold the text you want to format to select it.
- Tap the three dots (overflow menu) in the top-right corner.
- Choose Bold, Italic, Strikethrough, or Monospace.
Typing symbols manually:
Simply add the special characters before and after the text. For example, type *important* to get important. This method works in any text field and is faster once you remember the symbols.
How to Format Text on iPhone (iOS)
On iPhone, the process is similar to Android but with a slightly different menu:
- Type your message in the text field.
- Tap and hold the text you want to format to select it.
- Tap BIU in the popup menu.
- Choose Bold, Italic, or Strikethrough.
For monospace, you need to type the three backticks manually: ```code```.
How to Format Text on WhatsApp Web and Desktop
On WhatsApp Web or the desktop app, the menu method works differently:
- Type your message in the text field.
- Select the text you want to format.
- Right-click and choose from the formatting options, or use keyboard shortcuts:
| Format | Windows Shortcut | Mac Shortcut |
|---|---|---|
| Bold | Ctrl + B | Cmd + B |
| Italic | Ctrl + I | Cmd + I |
| Strikethrough | Ctrl + Shift + X | Cmd + Shift + X |
For monospace, there is no shortcut — use three backticks manually.
Using the OPN Chat WhatsApp Text Formatter
If you do not want to remember the special characters or shortcuts, OPN Chat provides a free WhatsApp Text Formatter tool. It works in any browser, on any device, and requires no sign-up.
How to use it:
- Go to the OPN Chat WhatsApp Text Formatter page.
- Type or paste your text in the input field.
- Select the formatting you want — bold, italic, strikethrough, monospace, or any combination.
- The formatted text appears instantly with the correct WhatsApp symbols.
- Copy the result and paste it into WhatsApp.
This tool is especially useful for longer messages where applying formatting manually is tedious, or when you want to preview how the text will look before sending it.
Common Mistakes and Troubleshooting
Formatting not working? Make sure there are no spaces between the symbols and the text. * Hello * will not work — it must be *Hello*.
Symbols showing instead of formatting? This happens when the recipient is using a very old version of WhatsApp that does not support formatting. Ask them to update their app.
Combining styles not working? The inner symbols must be on the inside. *~text~* works, but ~*text*~ may not display correctly on all devices.
Why Use Text Formatting in WhatsApp?
Text formatting is not just for decoration. It serves practical purposes:
- Emphasis — Bold important deadlines or instructions in group chats.
- Corrections — Use strikethrough to show what was changed:
~meeting at 3pm~ meeting at 4pm. - Code sharing — Monospace makes code snippets, URLs, and technical content readable.
- Lists and structure — Bold headings make long messages scannable.
- Professional communication — Well-formatted messages look more polished in business contexts.
WhatsApp text formatting is a simple feature that makes a big difference in how your messages are read and understood. Try it in your next conversation, or use the OPN Chat Text Formatter for a faster experience.