Easily Change Font Style in WhatsApp
WhatsApp is primarily designed for simple and fast messaging, but it also includes several text-formatting options that can make your messages look more interesting. You do not need to install a separate app to use the basic formatting features available in WhatsApp. Depending on the formatting you want, you can make text bold, italic, strikethrough, or use a monospace font style.
WhatsApp also supports additional formatting options in newer versions, such as lists, quotes, and inline code.
These features can be particularly useful when you want to emphasize important information, organize instructions, or make a particular part of a message stand out.
Easily Change Font Style in WhatsApp
You can easily change the font style in WhatsApp by using special characters around the text you want to format. For example, type *Hello* to make the text bold, _Hello_ for italic, ~Hello~ for strikethrough, and three backticks around text for monospace. On supported versions of WhatsApp, you can also select text and choose formatting options from the text menu. Let’s explore the different WhatsApp font styles and formatting options in detail!
WhatsApp does not provide a traditional font selector where you can choose from dozens of different typefaces. Instead, it provides built-in text formatting styles that can be applied while writing a message.
The following steps explain each option in a simple way.
1: Open WhatsApp and Choose a Chat
Start by opening WhatsApp on your Android phone or iPhone. Make sure you are using a reasonably recent version of WhatsApp because text-formatting features can change as the application is updated.
After opening WhatsApp, go to the Chats section. Find the person or group where you want to send a message and tap the conversation.
Now tap the message box at the bottom of the screen and type the text that you want to format. You can enter a short word, a complete sentence, or a longer message.
For example, suppose you want to send the message:
This is an important message
You can apply different formatting styles to this text before sending it. WhatsApp will automatically display the formatted version when you use the correct formatting characters.
2: Make Text Bold in WhatsApp
The bold style is useful when you want to make an important word or sentence stand out.
To make text bold, place an asterisk * immediately before and after the text. There should be no unnecessary space between the asterisks and the text.
For example, type:
*This is important*
After you send the message, WhatsApp displays it as:
This is important
You can also make only one word bold instead of the entire sentence. For example, you can type:
Please read the *instructions* carefully.
The word instructions will appear in bold while the rest of the sentence remains normal.
This is especially useful for highlighting dates, names, warnings, prices, or important instructions in a WhatsApp conversation.
3: Make Text Italic in WhatsApp
You can use italic text when you want to give a word or sentence a different appearance without making it as prominent as bold text.
To apply italics, place an underscore _ immediately before and after the text.
For example, type:
_This text is italic_
WhatsApp will display it as:
This text is italic
You can also apply italics to a single word. For example:
Please contact _John_ tomorrow.
Here, John will appear in italic formatting.
Remember that the underscore needs to be placed at both ends of the text you want to format. If you only add one underscore, WhatsApp may not apply the formatting correctly.
4: Add Strikethrough Text
The strikethrough formatting option places a line through the middle of your text. It can be useful when showing something that has been cancelled, corrected, or replaced.
To use strikethrough formatting, place a tilde ~ before and after the text.
For example:
~This information is no longer correct~
WhatsApp will display the text with a line through it.
You can also combine strikethrough with normal text. For example:
The meeting is ~Monday~ Tuesday.
This can make it clear that Monday has been replaced by Tuesday.
5: Change Text to a Monospace Font
WhatsApp also provides a monospace text style. Unlike bold or italic formatting, monospace changes the appearance of the characters so that each character takes up a similar amount of horizontal space.
To use this style, place three backticks before and after the text.
For example:
“`Monospace text“`
WhatsApp will display the words using its monospace-style formatting.
This option can be useful when sharing computer commands, technical information, code, or text that needs a fixed-width appearance.
Make sure you use three backticks on both sides of the text. A single apostrophe or a normal quotation mark will not produce the same formatting.
6: Use WhatsApp’s Text Formatting Menu
If you do not want to remember formatting symbols, you can also use the text-selection menu where supported.
First, type your message in the WhatsApp message box. Then select the word or sentence you want to format. On many phones, you can do this by pressing and holding the text and adjusting the selection handles.
Once the text is selected, look for the available formatting options in the menu. Depending on your WhatsApp version and device, you may see options such as Bold, Italic, Strikethrough, and Monospace.
Choose the formatting style you want. WhatsApp will apply the selected style to the highlighted text.
This method is particularly convenient for beginners because you do not have to remember which symbol belongs to each formatting style.
7: Create a Bulleted List in WhatsApp
Newer WhatsApp versions also provide additional text-formatting features that can help you organize information.
To create a bulleted list, start each item with an asterisk or hyphen followed by a space, depending on the formatting supported by your WhatsApp version.
For example, you can enter:
* Apple
* Samsung
WhatsApp can format these entries as a list when the supported formatting is recognized.
Lists are useful when you want to send shopping items, tasks, instructions, reminders, or multiple pieces of information without putting everything into one long paragraph.
8: Create a Numbered List
You can also use a numbered list when the order of the information matters.
Start each line with a number followed by a period and a space.
For example:
1. Open WhatsApp
2. Select a chat
3. Type your message
4. Send the message
This type of formatting is particularly useful for step-by-step instructions because the reader can easily understand the order in which actions should be performed.
9: Add a Quote to a WhatsApp Message
WhatsApp also supports block quotes, which can help you highlight a particular statement or part of a conversation.
To create a quote, begin the line with a greater-than symbol > followed by a space.
For example:
> Please complete this task today.
WhatsApp can display the text in a quoted format.
This can be useful when replying to a specific statement, highlighting an important instruction, or separating a quotation from the rest of your message.
10: Combine Different Font Styles
You can combine some WhatsApp formatting styles to create more distinctive messages. For example, you can use bold and italic formatting together when supported by WhatsApp.
You can type:
*_Important information_*
The resulting text can appear bold and italic.
Similarly, you can combine formatting with normal text to emphasize only specific words.
However, when combining multiple formatting characters, make sure that each opening character has a corresponding closing character. Incorrectly placed symbols can prevent WhatsApp from recognizing the formatting.
11: Check the Formatting Before Sending
Before sending an important formatted message, take a moment to check how it appears in the message box.
Look for missing symbols, unwanted spaces, or formatting that has not been applied. If the formatting does not appear correctly, check that you have used the correct character on both sides of the text.
For example, bold requires:
*Text*
while italic requires:
_Text_
and strikethrough requires:
~Text~
If you are using the formatting menu, simply select the text again and choose the desired option.
Once everything looks correct, tap the Send button.
FAQs
Can I change the font in WhatsApp permanently?
No. WhatsApp does not normally provide a setting that lets you permanently replace its standard font with another font throughout the application. Instead, you can use the available text-formatting styles when composing individual messages.
How do I make WhatsApp text bold?
Place an asterisk on both sides of the text. For example, type *Hello*. WhatsApp will display Hello in bold.
How do I make text italic in WhatsApp?
Place an underscore on both sides of the text. For example, _Hello_ will appear as Hello.
How do I cross out words in WhatsApp?
Use the tilde symbol on both sides of the text. For example, ~Hello~ creates Hello with strikethrough formatting.
How do I use the different font in WhatsApp?
For the monospace style, place three backticks on both sides of your text. For example, use three backticks before and after the words you want to display in the monospace style.
Can I change the WhatsApp font on Android and iPhone?
The basic WhatsApp formatting options are available across supported Android and iPhone versions. However, the exact text-selection menu and available options can vary depending on the operating system and WhatsApp version.
Do I need another application to change WhatsApp text styles?
You do not need another application for WhatsApp’s standard formatting options. You can use WhatsApp’s own formatting characters or the formatting menu where available.
Will the other person see the formatted text?
Yes. When you send a message using WhatsApp’s supported formatting, the recipient can see the message in the corresponding formatted style if their WhatsApp version supports that formatting.
Can I use special fonts in WhatsApp Status?
WhatsApp Status provides its own text and design options, but these are different from the formatting available in regular chats. You may also encounter third-party font applications, but they are not required for WhatsApp’s standard formatting features.
Summary
Changing the appearance of text in WhatsApp is simple once you know the available formatting options. You can use bold, italic, strikethrough, and monospace styles by adding the appropriate characters around your text. Newer versions of WhatsApp can also provide features such as bulleted lists, numbered lists, quotes, and inline code.
For beginners, the easiest approach is to type your message, select the text, and use the formatting menu when it is available.
If you prefer shortcuts, remembering a few characters such as *, _, ~, and backticks lets you format messages quickly without leaving WhatsApp.