WhatsApp Text Formatting Tricks: Complete Guide (2026)

Overview: WhatsApp supports bold, italic, strikethrough, monospace, inline code, bulleted and numbered lists, and block quotes, all applied with simple keyboard symbols or via the built-in formatting toolbar. Using these correctly makes messages easier to read, highlights key information, and improves response rates for both personal and business messages. This guide covers every formatting option with a quick reference table, three methods to apply formats, and a business-specific guide on which formats work best for each message type.

For businesses sending formatted campaign messages to a full contact list, a WhatsApp bulk message sender free tool handles those bulk sends, templates with bold, bullets, and emoji send exactly as written.

Before diving into each trick, here is the complete reference for all WhatsApp formatting options. Bookmark or screenshot this table.

Trick 1: Bold Text

Bold is the most powerful formatting option in WhatsApp. Use it for the one or two most important words in a message, an offer amount, a deadline, a call-to-action, or a product name.

Shortcut: *text* (asterisk on each side, no space between asterisk and word)

Example: *50% OFF* today only, order here: [link]

Result: 50% OFF today only, order here: [link]  (where "50% OFF" appears in bold)

Bold your first line when possible. WhatsApp shows only the first snippet of a message in the notification preview and chat list. A bold, specific opener, like *Flash Sale: 3 Hours Only* is more likely to get opened than plain text.

Trick 2: Italic Text

Italic is a softer emphasis, good for secondary information, a friendly tone, product names, event titles, or short personal notes within a message.

Shortcut: _text_ (underscore on each side, no space)

Example: Hi Priya, we have something _exclusive_ for you today.

Best use cases: Recipient names for a personal feel, event or product names, disclaimers, or a short tagline within a broadcast message.

Italic pairs well with bold: bold for the headline, italic for the supporting line. This creates a visual hierarchy that guides the reader without making the whole message feel loud.

Trick 3: Strikethrough

Strikethrough draws attention by crossing out text, counterintuitively, crossed-out text gets noticed more than regular text because it is unexpected.

Shortcut: ~text~ (tilde on each side, no space)

Best use case: Price drops. Write the original price with strikethrough, then the new price next to it.

Example: Delivery charge: ~Rs 49~ FREE on all orders above Rs 500.

This format is underused and therefore surprising to recipients, which is exactly why it works. Use it for any "before and after" comparison: original price vs sale price, old deadline vs extended deadline, old terms vs updated offer.

Trick 4: Monospace Font

Monospace gives text a fixed-width, technical appearance that stands out from normal conversational text. Every character takes up the same width, making it look distinct from the rest of the message.

Shortcut: ```text``` (three backticks on each side, no space between backticks and text)

Best use cases: Coupon codes, order IDs, OTPs, Wi-Fi passwords, product SKUs, or any alphanumeric string the recipient needs to copy exactly.

Example: Your promo code: ```DIWALI30```, use at checkout for 30% off.

Monospace text signals to the recipient "copy this exactly." It also prevents confusion: the code will not be mistaken for part of a sentence.

Also Read: How to Underline in WhatsApp: 3 Methods That Work (2026)

Trick 5: Inline Code

Inline code is similar to monospace but applied with a single backtick on each side. It produces a highlighted code-style appearance for short text strings.

Shortcut: `text` (single backtick on each side)

Best use cases: Short reference numbers, single keywords you want visually isolated, or quick code snippets in technical support conversations.

Example: Your ticket number is `TKT-0094`. Please quote this in all follow-ups.

Trick 6: Bulleted Lists

WhatsApp added native bulleted list formatting in early 2024. Lists are the single best way to present multiple points without burying them in a paragraph.

Shortcut: Start each new line with - (hyphen) or * (asterisk) followed by a space. WhatsApp auto-formats these into bullet points.

Best use cases: Product features, offer details, service inclusions, event agenda, multiple options for the recipient to choose from.

Example message:

• Free delivery on all orders
• 10% off for first-time buyers
• Easy 7-day returns

Lists prevent information from getting lost in prose. A customer who skims a paragraph will miss three of four benefits. A customer who scans a three-bullet list catches all three. Keep each bullet to one line for maximum readability.

Trick 7: Numbered Lists

Numbered lists bring sequence and order. Use them when the steps must be followed in the right order, or when you want to imply ranking.

Shortcut: Start each new line with 1. 2. 3. etc. followed by a space. WhatsApp displays them as numbered items.

Best use cases: How-to instructions, redemption steps for an offer, onboarding process, a ranked list of options.

Example:

• 1. Tap the link below to visit our store.
• 2. Add your item to the cart.
• 3. Enter code *SAVE20* at checkout.
• 4. Done, your discount is applied.

Numbered steps create a sense of progress. The recipient knows exactly how many steps remain, which reduces friction and increases follow-through rates.

Also Read: WhatsApp Business Account Banned: Why and How to Avoid It

Trick 8: Block Quotes

Block quotes indent a line with a vertical bar on the left side, making it visually separate from the rest of the message. Introduced in 2024.

Shortcut: Start a new line with > followed by a space. WhatsApp renders this as an indented block with a vertical bar.

Best use cases: Customer testimonials, important disclaimers, quoted policy text, or a key statement you want to stand apart from your main message.

Example: After the main message, add a block quote:

"This service saved me 3 hours every week." - Priya, Delhi

The visual break that a block quote creates forces the reader to pause and pay attention to that specific section. It also conveys credibility - a quote set apart visually reads as more authoritative than the same words inline.

Trick 9: Combining Formats

WhatsApp allows bold, italic, and strikethrough to be combined on the same text. Monospace cancels all other formatting, so keep it isolated.

Bold + italic: *_text_* or _*text*_ - use for the single most critical phrase in a message that must not be skimmed.

Bold + strikethrough: *~Rs 999~* - useful when you want the price drop itself to be bold and the old price is also crossed out.

Use combinations for one phrase per message maximum. If you bold-italic three different phrases in one message, the emphasis cancels itself out. The power of combination formats comes from rarity - when used sparingly, the eye is drawn to it instantly.

Trick 10: Line Breaks and Message Structure

The most overlooked formatting trick is message structure itself. A wall of text - even with bold and bullet points - is harder to read than the same content broken into short, spaced sections.

On mobile: Press the send button after each line. Or turn off "Enter is send" in WhatsApp settings, which lets you use Enter for line breaks within a single message.

On WhatsApp Web/Desktop: Press Shift + Enter for a line break within a message. Press Enter to send.

Practical structure for a business broadcast:

• Line 1: Bold headline with the main offer or news
• Line 2: One sentence of detail
• [blank line]
• Line 4: Key terms or benefits as bullets (2-3 max)
• [blank line]
• Line 7: CTA with link and opt-out

Keep promotional WhatsApp messages short enough to read in 8 to 10 seconds. If a message takes longer than that, trim it. The key information should be visible without scrolling.

Also Read: How to Know if Someone Blocked You on WhatsApp: 5 Signs

There are three methods to apply any WhatsApp formatting. How to highlight text in WhatsApp covers the toolbar method in detail. Here is a summary of all three:

Method 1 - Keyboard symbols (typing): Type the formatting symbols directly as you write. Fastest method for experienced users. Works on Android, iPhone, and WhatsApp Web. Use the quick reference table at the top of this guide.

Method 2 - Toolbar (long-press select): Type your message, then long-press on a word to select it. Drag the selection handles to highlight the text you want to format. A popup toolbar appears above the selection with B (bold), I (italic), S (strikethrough), and a three-dot or more icon for additional options. Tap the format you want. This method works without remembering any symbols.

Method 3 - WhatsApp Web toolbar: On WhatsApp Web, type your message and select text by clicking and dragging. A formatting toolbar appears above the selected text with the same bold, italic, strikethrough, and more options. Alternatively, use keyboard shortcuts: Ctrl+B for bold, Ctrl+I for italic on WhatsApp Web.

The right formatting combination depends on the type of message you are sending. WhatsApp message templates for business covers ready-to-use templates that apply these formats correctly for each scenario. Here is the format guide by message type:

WhatsApp's formatting toolkit - bold, italic, strikethrough, monospace, inline code, lists, block quotes, and combined styles, gives you significant control over how your messages are read and received. The quick reference table at the top of this guide covers every shortcut. The business formatting guide maps the right combination to each message type.

The rule that matters most: use formatting to highlight the one or two things in each message that the reader absolutely must not miss. Format everything and nothing stands out. Format one thing and it commands attention. Keep messages short, structure them with line breaks, and let the formatting do the emphasis work for you.

For businesses sending formatted campaign messages to a full contact list, Roklo is a free bulk message sender that handles how to send bulk WhatsApp messages from a browser - no API required, no saved contacts needed. Your bold, bulleted, and block-quoted templates send exactly as written.

Also Read: 17 Best Practices and Tips for Using a WhatsApp Bulk Messaging Tool in 2026