In This Article
WhatsApp’s text formatting has barely changed since 2022, and that is good news because the shortcuts you learned then still work in 2026. The platform added a couple of new options (bullet lists, numbered lists, block quotes) in 2024 that most readers still do not know exist. The full list, with the easier menu path, is below.
Everything here works on both Android and iOS WhatsApp; nothing requires the Business app, the beta, or any third-party tool.
TL;DR
The pick: The pick: long-press selected text and tap the kebab menu; the full formatting list is there.
Runner-up: Power users: the wrap-character shortcuts (*bold*, _italic_, ~strike~, “`mono“`) still work and are faster than the menu.
Skip if: Skip third-party “WhatsApp font” apps; they wrap your text in Unicode symbol substitution that breaks accessibility and looks bad on the recipient’s screen.
The wrap-character shortcuts
Type an asterisk on either side of a word for *bold*. Underscores give you _italic_. Tildes give you ~strikethrough~. Three backticks each side gives you “`monospace“`. Combine them: *_bold italic_*.
These work everywhere in WhatsApp: chat messages, captions on photos and videos, status updates, and group descriptions. The wrap characters disappear in the rendered message; recipients only see the formatted text.
Lists, quotes, and code blocks (added 2024)
Start a line with a hyphen and a space (“- ”) for a bullet list. Start with “1. ” for a numbered list. Start a line with “> ” for a block quote, which renders with a vertical bar on the left. Wrap a block of text with three backticks on their own lines for a multi-line code block.
These newer formats render correctly on both Android and iOS WhatsApp clients on any version released since mid-2024. Older clients fall back to plain text.
The menu route
Type your text, select the part you want to format, and the formatting bar appears above the selection. On Android it shows up via the kebab menu in the selection toolbar; on iOS it appears as “BIU” on the right of the selection bar. Pick from Bold, Italic, Strikethrough, Monospace, Bullet list, Numbered list, Quote, or Code block.
If the formatting bar does not appear, the WhatsApp build is too old. Update from the Play Store or App Store.
What WhatsApp does not support
Underline, custom fonts, colour, and font size are not part of the WhatsApp formatting set in 2026, and the apps that promise them are using Unicode look-alike characters. The result reads poorly on screen-readers, breaks copy-paste, and often does not show at all on older devices.
Stick with the native formats. If you genuinely need a styled document, send a PDF; WhatsApp handles them cleanly.
Which trick should you actually remember?
- Easiest: Select text, tap BIU or the formatting bar, pick the style.
- Fastest while typing: Wrap with *, _, ~, or `.
- Best for long messages: Bullet list (- ) or numbered list (1. ) at the start of each line.
- Best for quoting: Start the line with > for a block quote.
FAQ
Do these work in groups and broadcasts?
Yes. The same formatting applies to one-to-one chats, groups, broadcast lists, captions, and statuses.
Does my recipient need a special version of WhatsApp?
For the original four (bold, italic, strike, mono), no; they work on every version. For lists and quotes, they need a build from mid-2024 or later, which covers almost everyone.
Why does monospace look small on my screen?
Monospace renders in a system fixed-width font, which is typically slightly smaller than the chat font. It is intentional, not a bug.
Bottom line
WhatsApp’s formatting toolkit in 2026 is small but complete: bold, italic, strike, monospace, lists, quotes, and code blocks. Stick with the native shortcuts or the formatting bar, skip the third-party “font” apps that wreck accessibility, and you can write a clean, scannable WhatsApp message in seconds. The newer list and quote options especially are worth remembering for longer messages.
