WhatsApp Text Formatting: Bold, Italic, Strikethrough and All Codes (2026)

WhatsApp Text Formatting: The Complete Guide

Most WhatsApp users send plain text their whole lives without knowing WhatsApp supports rich formatting. You can make text bold, italic, add strikethrough, create lists, and more — using simple characters on each side of your text.

Formatted messages are more readable, more professional, and get better responses — especially for business communication.

All WhatsApp Formatting Codes

Bold

Wrap with asterisks: *bold text* → result: bold text

Italic

Wrap with underscores: _italic text_ → result: italic text

Strikethrough

Wrap with tildes: ~strikethrough~ → result: strikethrough

Monospace (Code font)

Wrap with triple backticks: ```monospace``` → appears in fixed-width font, perfect for phone numbers, codes, and technical content

Bulleted List

Start a line with a hyphen and space: - Item one → each line becomes a bullet point

Numbered List

Start a line with a number, period, and space: 1. First item

Quote

Start a line with greater-than: > quoted text → text appears with a colored vertical bar on the left

Combining Formats

You can combine formatting codes: *_bold italic_* or *~bold strikethrough~*. Put the outer formatting on the outside and inner formatting on the inside.

Format Messages Without Typing Codes

Typing asterisks and underscores manually gets tedious on mobile. Use the free WAUtiltiy Message Formatter:

1. Type or paste your message in the text box
2. Select the text you want to format
3. Click Bold, Italic, Strikethrough, or any format button
4. Click Copy and paste into WhatsApp

The formatter shows a live preview so you see exactly how the message will look before sending.

Practical Business Message Examples

Price List

*Our Services:*
- Basic Package: AED 299/month
- Pro Package: AED 599/month

*Reply to order* ✅

Order Confirmation

*Order Confirmed* 🎉
Order: ```ORD-1234```
_Delivery: 2-3 business days_

Announcement

*Important Update*
> Office closed on Friday
- Normal hours resume Monday
_Thank you for your understanding_

Does Formatting Work on All Devices?

Yes — all formatting codes work on Android, iPhone, WhatsApp Web, WhatsApp Desktop, and WhatsApp Business. The formatting renders on the receiver side regardless of their device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my text not turning bold?

Most likely there is a space between the asterisk and your text. Write *bold* not * bold *. The formatting character must be immediately adjacent to the text.

Does formatting work in WhatsApp Status?

Yes. All formatting codes work in WhatsApp Status as well.

Can I use formatting in my WhatsApp bio or name?

Formatting codes do not work in the profile name or About section — only in messages. For stylized text in your bio, use the Fancy Text Generator which generates Unicode characters that display everywhere.

Format Your Messages Now

Use the free WhatsApp Message Formatter on WAUtiltiy to create professional, readable messages in seconds.