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WhatsApp text formatter
Make text bold, italic, strikethrough or monospace, add lists and quotes, and see a live preview of how WhatsApp shows it. Copy the result into a chat, a broadcast or a message template. Free, and nothing you type leaves your browser.
Select text, then pick a format. With nothing selected, the markers are added at the cursor.
- Characters
- 0
- Lines
- 0
- Template body (1,024)
- 1,024 left
- Text message (4,096)
- 4,096 left
Preview
A close approximation of how WhatsApp shows formatted text. Send yourself a test message before a campaign.
Hi Sam 👋 Your order *#10482* has shipped and arrives _tomorrow_. What's in the box: * 1 x Linen shirt * 2 x Cotton socks Track it with code `TRK-55120`. > Reply HELP for support.
*Weekend sale: 30% off everything* 🎉 ~$60~ *$42* for our best-selling linen shirt. Use code ```WEEKEND30``` at checkout. _Ends Sunday at midnight._ Reply STOP to opt out.
Hi Priya, this is a reminder of your appointment: 1. *Date:* Tuesday 12 November 2. *Time:* 10:30 AM 3. *Where:* 24 Market Street, 2nd floor Reply *1* to confirm or *2* to reschedule.
Formatting rules from WhatsApp's help page How to format your messages. Length limits from Meta's developer docs for text messages and template components. Checked 7 November 2026.
WhatsApp formatting cheat sheet
WhatsApp formats text with plain characters around words or at the start of a line. Type them yourself, or use the buttons above.
| Format | Type this | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Bold | *text* | text |
| Italic | _text_ | text |
| Strikethrough | ~text~ | |
| Monospace | ```text``` | text |
| Inline code | `text` | text |
| Bulleted list | * text or - text | • text |
| Numbered list | 1. text | 1. text |
| Quote | > text | A quoted line |
Source: WhatsApp Help Center, How to format your messages, checked 7 November 2026. The page notes that "New text formatting is only available on Web and Mac desktop", so send a test to a phone before you rely on lists, quotes or inline code.
Rules that trip people up
- No spaces inside the markers.
*sale*turns bold,* sale *does not. - Markers sit at word edges. A marker in the middle of a word, such as
2*3*4orfile_name_v2, stays as typed. - Lists need a space. Type
*,-or1.with a space at the start of each line. - Monospace and code are literal. Text inside backticks is not formatted further, which is handy for codes and links.
- Formats can combine.
*_text_*is bold and italic.
Formatting in templates and the API
The markers are ordinary characters, so formatted text can go into a message template body, a broadcast or a message sent through the WhatsApp Business API, and WhatsApp formats it on the customer's phone. Two things to know:
- Template headers: Meta's template guide says not to use Markdown special characters in a text header. Keep formatting to the body.
- Category: formatting does not change a template's category. Meta decides marketing, utility or authentication from the content, as our guide to WhatsApp template categories explains.
Length limits
- Template body: up to 1,024 characters.
- Template header and footer: up to 60 characters each.
- Text message through the API: up to 4,096 characters.
The markers count towards the limit. The counter above shows how much room is left for both. Source: Meta developer docs for template components and text messages, checked 7 November 2026.
Tips for readable messages
- Bold the one thing that matters, such as an order number, a date or a price. Bold everywhere means bold nowhere.
- Use lists for steps and items. They scan faster on a small screen than a paragraph.
- Put codes in monospace. Passcodes, tracking numbers and coupon codes are easier to read and copy.
- Use strikethrough for price drops, such as
~$60~ *$42*. - Keep it short. One idea per message gets more replies than a wall of text.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make text bold in WhatsApp?
Put an asterisk on both sides of the text, with no spaces inside: *text*. You can also select text in this formatter, press Bold, and copy the result into WhatsApp.
How do I write in italic or strikethrough on WhatsApp?
Use underscores for italic, as in _text_, and tildes for strikethrough, as in ~text~. Both need the markers right next to the first and last letters.
Can I use bold and italic in WhatsApp message templates?
Yes, in the template body. The markers are plain characters, and WhatsApp formats them on the customer's phone. Meta's template guide says not to use Markdown special characters in text headers.
How long can a WhatsApp message be?
A template body can have up to 1,024 characters, and a text message sent through the WhatsApp Business API up to 4,096 characters, according to Meta's developer docs. Formatting markers count towards the limit.
Why is my WhatsApp formatting not working?
Usually there is a space just inside a marker, or the marker touches a letter outside the word. Check that the text looks like *text*, not * text * or a*text*. Lists also need a space after the dash, asterisk or number.
Is my text stored when I use this tool?
No. Formatting and the preview happen in your browser. Nothing you type is sent to Unecast or stored.
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