WhatsApp keeps messaging simple, but you can still make your conversations more expressive by changing how your text looks. Whether you want to bold an important word, italicize a phrase, cross out text, or use a monospace font, WhatsApp provides several formatting options directly while you type.
You do not need to install a separate font app for the basic formatting styles. The main trick is knowing the right symbols and formatting methods.
In this guide, you will learn how to easily change font style in WhatsApp on your phone, with simple steps that beginners can follow.
Easily Change Font Style in WhatsApp
- To make text bold, place an asterisk (*) before and after the text.
- To make text italic, place an underscore (_) before and after the text.
- To create strikethrough text, place a tilde (~) before and after the text.
- To use a monospace font, place three backticks (`) before and after the text.
- To combine styles, place the appropriate formatting symbols around the same text.
- To change WhatsApp text into other decorative fonts, use a compatible third-party font generator and paste the result into WhatsApp.
WhatsApp supports several text formatting styles that can be applied while composing a message. These styles work by placing specific characters around your text. WhatsApp then recognizes those characters and changes the appearance of the enclosed words when the message is sent.
For example, typing *Hello* changes the word to Hello. Similarly, _Hello_ produces Hello, while ~Hello~ produces Hello.
The process is similar on Android phones and iPhones, although the exact location of some formatting controls can vary slightly depending on your WhatsApp version.
Step 1: Open WhatsApp and Select a Chat
Start by opening WhatsApp on your Android phone or iPhone. From the Chats screen, select the conversation where you want to use a different font style.
You can choose an existing individual conversation, a group chat, or start a new conversation. Tap the message box at the bottom of the screen so that the keyboard appears.
You do not need to change WhatsApp’s general font settings to format an individual message. The formatting is applied directly to the text you are preparing to send.
Step 2: Type the Text You Want to Format
Next, type the message you want to send, but do not tap the Send button yet. Decide which words or sentences should have special formatting.
For example, suppose you want to emphasize the words Meeting at 5 PM. You can type the formatting characters around the text before sending it.
It is usually easier for beginners to start with a short word or phrase. Once you understand how the symbols work, you can use them with longer messages and even combine multiple formatting styles.
Step 3: Make Text Bold
To make text bold, put an asterisk (*) immediately before and after the text.
For example, type:
*This is important*
After WhatsApp recognizes the formatting, the message appears as This is important.
This style is useful when you want to emphasize an important detail, such as a meeting time, deadline, reminder, or specific instruction. Make sure there are no unwanted spaces between the asterisks and the text you want to format.
For example, *Important* works as expected, while adding unnecessary spaces inside the formatting marks can prevent the style from being applied correctly.
Step 4: Make Text Italic
WhatsApp also lets you make text italic. To do this, place an underscore (_) on both sides of the text.
For example, type:
_See you tomorrow_
WhatsApp displays it as See you tomorrow.
Italic formatting can be useful when you want to give a phrase a softer emphasis or distinguish a particular expression from the rest of your message.
The important part is to place the underscore directly before the first character and directly after the last character of the text you want to format.
Step 5: Add Strikethrough Text
If you want to show that something has been canceled, removed, or corrected, you can use strikethrough formatting.
Place a tilde (~) before and after the text.
For example:
~Old meeting time~
WhatsApp displays the result as Old meeting time.
This can be particularly handy in group chats. For example, if plans change, you can strike through the old information and then provide the updated details in the same message.
Step 6: Use the Monospace Font
WhatsApp also supports a monospace text style, which gives characters a more fixed-width appearance.
To use it, place three backticks before and after your text.
For example:
“`Hello“`
WhatsApp displays the enclosed text in a monospace style.
This formatting can be useful for sharing code, commands, technical information, or text that you want to visually separate from a normal conversation.
Be careful to use three backticks rather than a single apostrophe. On many keyboards, the backtick character appears near the upper-left area of the keyboard, although its exact location can vary by device.
Step 7: Combine Different Font Styles
You can also combine formatting styles when you want stronger emphasis.
For example, you can combine bold and italic formatting by placing the relevant characters around the text.
A simple example is:
*_Important update_*
This produces text that is bold and italic.
You can experiment with combinations such as bold, italic, and strikethrough, but remember that the formatting characters need to be placed correctly around the text. If the symbols are positioned incorrectly, WhatsApp may display them as ordinary characters instead of applying the intended style.
For beginners, it is a good idea to test one formatting style at a time before combining several styles.
Step 8: Use WhatsApp’s Text Formatting Menu
Depending on your WhatsApp version and device, you may also be able to format selected text through a formatting menu rather than manually typing symbols.
Type your message and then select the word or phrase you want to format. On many phones, a contextual menu will appear. Look for options related to Bold, Italic, Strikethrough, or Monospace.
On some devices, you may need to tap a three-dot menu to reveal additional formatting choices.
This method can be more convenient if you do not remember the symbols. It is also helpful when you want to format only one part of a longer message.
Step 9: Change WhatsApp Text to Decorative Fonts
If by “font style” you mean decorative lettering, such as unusual Unicode characters, the process is different from WhatsApp’s standard formatting.
You can use a font generator website or compatible font app to enter your text and generate different Unicode-style versions. You then copy the generated text and paste it into WhatsApp.
Keep in mind that these are generally special Unicode characters, rather than a true change to WhatsApp’s default font. The recipient’s device and software can also affect how certain characters appear.
For everyday messaging, WhatsApp’s standard formatting options are generally easier to read and more consistent.
Step 10: Preview Your Message Before Sending
Before tapping Send, take a moment to check how your formatting looks. Make sure the intended words are formatted and that you have not accidentally included a formatting character in the wrong place.
This is especially important when combining several styles. If something does not look right, edit the message and check the placement of the symbols.
Once the formatting looks correct, tap Send. Your recipient will see the formatted version of the message, provided their WhatsApp environment supports the relevant formatting.
Faqs
Can I change the entire WhatsApp font?
WhatsApp’s standard text formatting features are designed mainly for individual messages and selected text, rather than changing the application’s entire font. You can use bold, italic, strikethrough, and monospace formatting in messages.
How do I make text bold in WhatsApp?
Put an asterisk before and after the text. For example, typing *Hello* displays Hello.
How do I make text italic in WhatsApp?
Place an underscore before and after the text. For example, _Hello_ displays Hello.
How do I cross out words in WhatsApp?
Use a tilde on both sides of the text. Typing ~Hello~ produces Hello.
How do I use a different font in WhatsApp?
For WhatsApp’s standard font styles, use bold, italic, strikethrough, or monospace formatting. If you want decorative lettering, you can copy specially generated Unicode characters from a compatible font generator.
Can I use more than one formatting style at once?
Yes. WhatsApp supports combinations of formatting styles when the symbols are placed correctly. For example, *_Hello_* can apply both bold and italic formatting.
Do font changes work on both Android and iPhone?
WhatsApp’s common formatting features are available on Android and iPhone. The appearance and formatting menu can differ slightly depending on your device and WhatsApp version.
Does changing the font affect the recipient’s WhatsApp?
Standard WhatsApp formatting is generally included as part of the message, so the recipient can see the formatting without having to manually recreate it. Decorative Unicode text can behave differently depending on the device and available font support.