WhatsApp formatting guide
How to format WhatsApp messages
Put the right markers around your text to add bold, italic, strikethrough or monospace. Here are the patterns, examples and checks to make before you send.
Open the free formatterWhatsApp formatting syntax: four examples
Type the marks along with the message. Do not add a space between a marker and the first or last letter of the text you want to format.
| Format | Type this | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Bold | *Appointment confirmed* | Emphasize a date, key detail or next step. |
| Italic | _Please arrive five minutes early._ | Add a short aside or supporting note. |
| Strikethrough | ~Friday~ Saturday | Show a correction while keeping the original wording visible. |
| Monospace | ```ORDER-123``` | Set apart a short reference or code. |
These marker patterns are documented in the WhatsApp Help Center. Check its current instructions for additional formats and app-specific availability.
Use the formatter, then check your message
- Open the free WhatsApp message formatter and replace the example with your own text.
- Select the words to style. Choose bold, italic, strikethrough or monospace; the tool wraps your selection in the matching marks.
- Review the simplified preview, then choose Copy message. The preview is a convenience, not a guarantee of identical rendering on every WhatsApp app.
- Paste into WhatsApp and send a test to yourself before using the message with customers. Keep the markers in the copied text.
A formatted appointment reminder
Hi Alex, *Your appointment is confirmed.* Date: *Saturday at 10:00* _Please arrive five minutes early._ Reply if you need to reschedule.
Use bold for the appointment details rather than the entire message. Short paragraphs make the time and next step easier to find. For other scenarios, start with the welcome message generator and adjust its wording for your business.
When formatting looks wrong
- Visible markers: check that each opening marker has its matching closing marker, with no spaces just inside them.
- Unexpected emphasis: remove stray asterisks, underscores or tildes and try one format at a time.
- Lists and quotes: WhatsApp documents additional syntax, but the tool does not provide a specialized preview for it. Check those formats in WhatsApp itself.
- Personalized campaigns:
{{name}}is an extension placeholder, not native WhatsApp formatting. Test the final personalized message before starting a campaign.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make WhatsApp text bold?
Put one asterisk directly before and after the text: *Appointment confirmed*. Keep both markers and paste the marked text into your message.
How do I write italic or crossed-out text?
Use _text_ for italic and ~text~ for strikethrough. Each opening marker needs the same closing marker.
Does the formatter send my message?
No. It adds formatting marks and provides a simplified preview. Copy the result and paste it into WhatsApp yourself, or into the WA Sender extension.
Why does my WhatsApp formatting not work?
Check for a missing closing marker, spaces immediately inside the markers, or an accidental extra marker. Try a short example on its own and send a test message in your actual WhatsApp app.
Can the tool preview bullet lists and quotes?
The current tool previews bold, italic, strikethrough and monospace. WhatsApp also documents lists, quotes and inline code, but this tool has no dedicated controls or specialized preview for those formats.
Keep reading
Ready to use your message in a campaign?
Copy your formatted text into WA Sender Tool for personalized sending. Only contact people who consented to receive your messages. The extension is independent of WhatsApp and Meta.
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