WhatsApp has become the world's most popular messaging platform with over 2 billion active users worldwide. But here's the thing: most people don't realize that WhatsApp offers powerful text formatting features that can transform your messages from plain and boring to professional, engaging, and visually striking. Whether you're chatting with friends, coordinating with colleagues, or running a business, mastering WhatsApp text formatting is a skill that will elevate your communication game.
In this ultimate guide, we'll dive deep into everything you need to know about WhatsApp text formatting. From basic bold and italic options to the newest features like bulleted lists and block quotes, we'll cover all eight formatting options, platform-specific tips, business applications, accessibility considerations, troubleshooting common issues, and creative ways to make your messages stand out.
Introduction to WhatsApp Text Formatting
Text formatting in WhatsApp allows you to add visual emphasis and structure to your messages. Instead of sending plain text that blends together, you can highlight important information, organize lists, quote previous messages, and even display text in a code-like monospace font.
WhatsApp text formatting works similarly to Markdown, a lightweight markup language used by many platforms including GitHub, Reddit, and Slack. If you've ever used these platforms, you'll feel right at home with WhatsApp's formatting syntax. The beauty of this system is that it's simple to learn yet powerful enough to transform your messaging experience.
The formatting features save time and help people communicate more effectively, especially in group chats where clarity is essential. As WhatsApp stated when introducing their latest formatting updates: These text formatting options help save time and help people communicate more effectively via their messages, especially in group chats.
Why Text Formatting Matters
In our fast-paced digital world, attention is a scarce resource. When someone receives a message, they often skim through it quickly. Text formatting helps you:
- Highlight key information that shouldn't be missed
- Organize complex messages into readable structures
- Add emphasis and emotion to your words
- Create professional-looking business communications
- Make your messages more memorable and engaging
- Reduce misunderstandings by clarifying important points
Complete Guide to All WhatsApp Formatting Options
WhatsApp now offers eight different formatting options. Let's explore each one in detail, including the exact syntax and practical examples.
1. Bold Text
Bold text is the most commonly used formatting option in WhatsApp. It makes your text appear thicker and darker, drawing immediate attention to important words or phrases.
How to Use Bold
To make text bold, place an asterisk (*) before and after the text you want to emphasize.
Syntax: *your text here*
Example: Typing *Important meeting at 3 PM* will display as Important meeting at 3 PM in bold.
Best Uses for Bold Text
- Headlines and subheadings in long messages
- Urgent information or deadlines
- Key points that need emphasis
- Names, dates, or important numbers
- Call-to-action statements
Bold text is perfect for drawing attention to specific words or letters within a message. This style can also be used to highlight headlines and subheadings, guiding your reader through a voluminous text.
2. Italic Text
Italic text appears slanted and is typically used for subtle emphasis, titles, or to indicate a different tone of voice.
How to Use Italics
To italicize text, place an underscore (_) before and after the text.
Syntax: _your text here_
Example: Typing _New Arrivals_ will display as New Arrivals in italics.
Best Uses for Italic Text
- Book, movie, or song titles
- Foreign words or phrases
- Thoughts or internal dialogue
- Gentle emphasis on secondary information
- Taglines or slogans
- Customer names in personalized messages
Italics provide gentle emphasis - they're noticeable but not as in-your-face as bold. This makes them perfect for highlighting secondary information: perhaps the name of the customer, a coupon code, or a short tagline.
3. Strikethrough Text
Strikethrough text appears with a line through the middle, indicating deletion, correction, or sarcasm.
How to Use Strikethrough
To strikethrough text, place a tilde (~) before and after the text.
Syntax: ~your text here~
Example: Typing ~old price~ will display as old price with a line through it.
Best Uses for Strikethrough Text
- Showing price reductions (was ~$50~ now $30)
- Correcting previous statements
- Adding humor or sarcasm
- Indicating completed tasks
- Showing revisions in collaborative discussions
- Highlighting outdated information
Strikethrough comes in handy when you need to demonstrate revisions, imitate censorship, or highlight a change of opinion, outdated information, or a controversy. It can be used to indicate to others what has been or needs to be removed from the text.
4. Monospace Text
Monospace text uses a fixed-width font where every character takes up the same amount of space. It gives your text a distinctive, code-like appearance reminiscent of old computer terminals or typewriters.
How to Use Monospace
To use monospace formatting, place three backticks before and after the text.
Syntax: your text here (with three backticks on each side)
Example: Typing System Error 404 with three backticks will display in a monospace font.
Best Uses for Monospace Text
- Sharing code snippets
- Technical commands or instructions
- Error messages
- Creating a retro or technical aesthetic
- Distinguishing code from regular text
- Making text look official or formal
Monospace WhatsApp formatting makes your text look like it has been typed on an old computer terminal. Each character takes up the same amount of space, giving it a distinctive, code-like appearance. It is perfect when you want something to look official, technical or just plain retro.
Important Note: Monospace will remove other formats and only show the source code (i.e., the asterisk instead of the rendered bold text). You cannot combine monospace with bold, italic, or strikethrough formatting.
5. Inline Code
Inline code is a newer formatting option that highlights short pieces of text with a subtle background, making them stand out from regular text.
How to Use Inline Code
To use inline code formatting, place a single backtick before and after the text.
Syntax: your text here (with one backtick on each side)
Example: Typing username with backticks will display with a subtle highlighted background.
Best Uses for Inline Code
- Highlighting specific terms within a sentence
- Technical terms or variable names
- Emphasizing words in a unique way
- Jokes or memes that need visual distinction
- Pasted content that should stand out
Most people would not use WhatsApp to send actual code. But inline code formatting can emphasise words, jokes or memes, or highlight something you have pasted from elsewhere. It gives text a subtle grey background that makes it stand out nicely.
6. Bulleted Lists
Bulleted lists allow you to organize multiple points in a clean, easy-to-read format. This feature was introduced in February 2024 and has been a game-changer for message organization.
How to Use Bulleted Lists
To create a bulleted list, start each line with either an asterisk (*) or a hyphen (-), followed by a space.
Syntax using asterisk: * First item
Syntax using hyphen: - First item
Best Uses for Bulleted Lists
- Shopping lists
- To-do items
- Feature comparisons
- Meeting agendas
- Product specifications
- Any list where order does not matter
Pro Tip: When creating lists on WhatsApp Web or Desktop, use Shift + Enter to create a new line without sending the message. Pressing Enter alone will send your message immediately.
