WhatsApp has its own formatting codes for chats, and it also accepts Unicode fancy fonts anywhere you can type. This page gives you both: the code version to send in a chat and styled versions for your About, status text, group names and broadcast messages.
Fancy fonts
Two ways to style WhatsApp text: the built-in formatting codes (*bold*, _italic_, ~strike~, ```mono```) and Unicode fancy fonts for your About, status and group names.
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Accessibility: screen readers can't read fancy fonts properly. They may spell out every symbol or skip the word, and in-app search may not find it. Keep your name, key info and links in normal text, and use styled letters only as decoration.
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How it works
- Type your message once.
- Copy the WhatsApp code version (with * _ ~ marks) for chats; WhatsApp formats it when you send it.
- For your About, status text or a group name, copy a Unicode style instead, since codes only work inside chats.
- Your WhatsApp About holds 139 characters.
Frequently asked questions
What are the WhatsApp formatting codes?
Put *asterisks* around text for bold, _underscores_ for italic, ~tildes~ for strikethrough and three backticks ```like this``` for monospace. Newer versions also support `single backticks` for inline code, "> " at the start of a line for a quote, "- " or "* " for a bullet list and "1. " for a numbered list.
What is the difference between WhatsApp codes and fancy fonts?
Codes are instructions that WhatsApp turns into formatting when you send a message, and they show as plain marks in other apps. Fancy fonts are different Unicode characters, so they look styled everywhere you paste them, including your About and group names where codes don't work.
Why didn't my WhatsApp bold work?
The marks must touch the words: *bold* works but * bold * does not, and there must be a space or line break before the first mark. Some older WhatsApp versions also don't support the newer list and quote codes.
Can I use fancy fonts in my WhatsApp name?
Yes, the profile name and About accept most Unicode styles. Contacts who saved your number will still see the name they saved, not your styled one.
Can screen readers read fancy fonts?
Usually not well. The styled letters are separate Unicode symbols, so a screen reader may spell them out as "mathematical bold capital A", read them one by one, or skip them. Blind and low-vision followers can miss your message, and search inside apps may not find you. Keep your name, the key information and any links in normal text, and use fancy letters only for a word or two of decoration.
WhatsApp formatting codes
- Bold:
*text* - Italic:
_text_ - Strikethrough:
~text~ - Monospace:
```text``` - Inline code:
`text` - Quote: start the line with
> - Lists: start lines with
-or*for bullets,1.for numbers
You can combine codes, for example *_bold italic_*. On a phone you can also select text, tap the three dots and choose Bold, Italic, Strikethrough or Monospace.
When to use fancy fonts instead
Codes only work inside chats. For your About (139 characters), your profile name, a group name or text you will paste into other apps, use a Unicode style from the list above. Business owners often use a bold heading in broadcast messages, such as “𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗖𝗞 𝗔𝗟𝗘𝗥𝗧”, followed by the details in plain text so every customer can read them.