WhatsApp Text Formatting: Bold, Italic, Lists and Quotes

Type these symbols around your text. They work on Android, iPhone, WhatsApp Web and WhatsApp Business.

Text styles

• Bold: *Hello*
• Italic: _Hello_
• Strikethrough: ~Hello~
• Monospace: three backticks before and after — ``` `Hello` ```
• Inline code: one backtick each side — ` Hello `

Lists and quotes

• Bullet list: start each line with - or * (dash or star, then a space)
• Numbered list: start lines with 1. , 2. , 3.
• Quote: start the line with > (greater-than, then a space)

Shortcut without symbols

Type your message, long-press (or double-click on desktop) to select a word, then choose Bold, Italic, Strikethrough or Monospace from the menu.

Combine styles

*_Hello_* gives bold italic. Close the symbols in reverse order.

Business tip

For price lists and order confirmations, use a bold heading plus a numbered list — customers scan it in seconds:

*Today's Specials*
1. Item one – $1,500
2. Item two – $2,000
> Reply with the number to order