WhatsApp text formatter
In short
Make words bold, italic or crossed out, add lists and quotes, and see exactly how it will look. The chat bubble shows the message the way WhatsApp displays it. Then copy it, or open it straight in WhatsApp and pick the chat.
- Free
- No sign-up
- Runs on your device
Updated 3 October 2026 · SimVala editorial
You type
*Order ready* for pickup - 2 flat whites - _1 croissant_
They see
Order ready for pickup
- 2 flat whites
- 1 croissant
Format your message
Formatted on your device, never sent or stored
Select words, then press a button. 149 characters.
How it looks in the chat
Opening hours this week
- Mon to Fri: 9 to 6
- Sat: 10 to 2
Closed Sunday. Holiday sale Sale ends Friday.
Reply with your order number
Formatted on your device. The message is never sent to us.
9
Formats in the cheat sheet
5
Styles for words
3
Styles for whole lines
0
Messages stored
Every WhatsApp format, in one table
WhatsApp formats text with simple symbols around the words. In 2024 it added lists, quotes and inline code to the classic bold, italic, strikethrough and monospace. The symbols work the same on every phone and computer.
| Format | Type this | You get |
|---|---|---|
| Bold | *text* | text |
| Italic | _text_ | text |
| Strikethrough | ~text~ |
|
| Monospace | ```text``` | text |
| Inline code | `text` |
|
| Bulleted list | - text |
|
| Numbered list | 1. text |
|
| Quote | > text | text |
| Bold and italic | *_text_* | text |
Each format with a real example
What to type, what the other person sees, and the kind of message each style is good for.
Bold
Pickup is *Friday at 6*
Pickup is Friday at 6
The one detail nobody may miss: a time, a price or a deadline. One bold phrase per message works best.
Italic
We loved _Dune_, go and see it
We loved Dune, go and see it
Titles of films and books, a soft aside, or a word you want to stress gently.
Strikethrough
Now ~$40~ $30 until Sunday
Now
$40$30 until SundayShow a change and keep the old value visible, like a new price or a moved date.
Monospace
Your code is ```A7K-29Q```
Your code is A7K-29Q
Order numbers, booking codes and anything people must copy exactly. Every letter gets the same width.
Inline code
Type `/help` to see the menu
Type
/helpto see the menuA short command or a bit of code inside a normal sentence, shown on a grey background.
Bulleted list
- Passport - Charger - Euros
- Passport
- Charger
- Euros
Packing lists, shopping lists and opening hours. Start each line with a dash or an asterisk and a space.
Numbered list
1. Turn left at the bakery 2. Ring flat 3
- Turn left at the bakery
- Ring flat 3
Steps people follow in order, like directions or set-up instructions.
Quote
> Can we move to 7? Yes, 7 works
Can we move to 7?
Yes, 7 works
Repeat the line you are answering, so a busy group knows which question you mean.
Styles can be stacked. Put one set of markers inside another, like *_this_* for bold italic or *~this~* for bold strikethrough, and close them in the reverse order you opened them.
Formatting shortcuts on phone and desktop
You do not have to type the symbols. Select the words while you write, then choose the style. Typing the markers still works everywhere, and it is the only way to make lists and quotes.
iPhone
Select the words while typing, then tap Format (or BIU) in the menu and pick a style.
Select, then Format, then a style
Android
Select the words, tap the three dots in the menu, then Bold, Italic, Strikethrough or Monospace.
Select, then the three dots, then a style
WhatsApp Web and Windows app
Select the words, then press the shortcut, or type the markers yourself.
Ctrl+B bold, Ctrl+I italic, Ctrl+Shift+X strikethrough, Ctrl+Shift+M monospace
Mac app
Same as Windows, with Cmd instead of Ctrl.
Cmd+B, Cmd+I, Cmd+Shift+X, Cmd+Shift+M
Shortcuts can change between app versions. On WhatsApp Web, the full list is in Settings, then Keyboard shortcuts.
Why WhatsApp formatting sometimes does not show
WhatsApp only formats when the symbols touch the words. A space just inside the markers, like * hello *, leaves the asterisks on screen. The same goes for markers in the middle of a word, so a file name like report_final_v2 stays as it is.
Lists, quotes and inline code arrived in 2024. Someone on an old version of the app sees the raw dashes, arrows and backticks, while the classic styles still work for them.
If you copy a formatted message into a text message, an email or another app, the symbols travel with it as plain characters. Use the formatter here for WhatsApp, and plain text everywhere else.
What WhatsApp formatting cannot do
Knowing the limits saves time hunting for a button that does not exist.
- No underlineThere is no marker for it. Use bold or italic to stress a word instead.
- No colours or sizesEvery message uses the same font size and colour. Your phone's own text size setting changes how big it looks to you, not to others.
- No hidden linksA web address always shows in full. You cannot hide a link behind a word, which also makes scams a little easier to spot.
- Fancy fonts are not real textSites that offer gothic or script letters swap in look-alike symbols. Screen readers spell them out one by one, and search cannot find them.
Format a message in three steps
Type or paste
Write your message in the box above, or paste a draft. The sample shows every style so you can see them at once.
Select and press a button
Highlight words and press Bold, Italic and so on. For lists and quotes, select whole lines first.
Copy or open WhatsApp
Copy the message, or press Open in WhatsApp. It opens with the text ready, and you choose who to send it to.
Keep it light. Bold for the one thing people must not miss, like a time or a price. Lists for opening hours, menus or steps. Quotes to reply to a specific line in a busy group. A message that is all bold reads like shouting.
Running a business chat? Pair a clear message with a WhatsApp link that opens a chat with you, and use a second number so your personal one stays private.
More free tools
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CheckerScam text checkerPaste a suspicious text and see its red flags, like fake toll or parcel messages.
LookupPhone number lookupWhich country, mobile or landline, the area code and the local time.
Sources
Formats checked on 2026-10-03. SimVala is not affiliated with WhatsApp.
WhatsApp formatting, answered
How do I write bold text in WhatsApp?+
Put an asterisk on each side of the words, with no space inside: *like this*. Or select the words in the chat, tap More, then Bold.
How do I make italic or strikethrough text?+
Underscores for italic, _like this_, and tildes for strikethrough, ~like this~.
Can I make lists in WhatsApp?+
Yes. Start a line with - and a space for a bulleted list, or 1. and a space for a numbered list. Start with > and a space for a quote.
Why is my formatting not working?+
Usually there is a space just inside the markers, like * text *, or the markers are in the middle of a word. Put them right next to the words: *text*.
Does formatting work on WhatsApp Web and in groups?+
Yes. The same markers work on phones, WhatsApp Web, the desktop apps, and in group chats.
Can I underline text or change the colour in WhatsApp?+
No. WhatsApp has no underline, no colours and no font sizes. Bold, italic, strikethrough, monospace, inline code, lists and quotes are the full set.
What are the keyboard shortcuts on WhatsApp Web?+
Select the words, then press Ctrl+B for bold, Ctrl+I for italic, Ctrl+Shift+X for strikethrough or Ctrl+Shift+M for monospace. On a Mac, use Cmd instead of Ctrl.
Can I fix the formatting after I send a message?+
Yes, for a short time. Press and hold the message, choose Edit from the menu, and correct it. WhatsApp allows edits for 15 minutes after sending.
Is my message sent anywhere?+
No. The formatter runs in your browser. Nothing you type is sent to us.
A WhatsApp number that is not your own
Get the sign-up code on a second number and keep your personal one private. Paid in crypto, no ID.