How to Italics on WhatsApp; Italicized WhatsApp Texts

When it comes to instant messaging apps, WhatsApp stands out as one of the key players. It is cross-platform and supports audio and video calling can send multimedia files.

Even with voice recording and other features, WhatsApp is still a text messaging app. So, a few years ago, the company added style support to enhance the way you send texts.

They include: italicized WhatsApp texts, making them bold, strikethrough, and monospace.

Many people aren’t aware of these WhatsApp formatting options, so let’s see how to make them happen.

How to italics on WhatsApp; Italicized WhatsApp texts

Italics is a formatting option that highlights the important parts of a text. You can use Italic text in two ways with WhatsApp: the first is the WhatsApp formatting option, and the second one is a shortcut. The former is universally accepted on the iOS and Android –

To use italics formatting in WhatsApp, prefix the text with an underscore – ‘_’ sans any space between the underscore and the text you want to format. Like so:

_text_

How to Italics on WhatsApp

If you follow these steps, the text you send the message will be displayed with italics formatting at the recipient’s end. As for the underscores, they won’t be seen by the reader.

Make text bold:

Apart from sending italicized texts on WhatsApp, you also make text bold.

To do so, place an asterisk ‘*’ on both sides of the text. *I can touch my nose*.

How to Italics on WhatsApp

WhatsApp will automatically format the selected text into bold.

Send monospace text font style:

To send a monospace message on WhatsApp, place three backticks ‘“`’ at the start and end of the message. Like so:

“`𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚒𝚜 𝚊 𝚜𝚊𝚖𝚙𝚕𝚎 𝚝𝚎𝚡𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚖𝚘𝚗𝚘𝚜𝚙𝚊𝚌𝚎 𝚝𝚎𝚡𝚝 𝚘𝚗 𝚆𝚑𝚊𝚝𝚜𝙰𝚙𝚙.“`

WhatsApp Image 2022 05 24 at 11.57.35 AM

Alternatively, you can also tap and hold the text you enter in the message field. Tap and hold the text on Android smartphones, then choose Bold, Italic, or More. Tap More to select Strikethrough or Monospace.

Send strikethrough text:

If you want to send a strikethrough message on WhatsApp, place a tilde ‘~’ at the start and end of the message.

For instance:

T̶h̶i̶s̶ ̶i̶s̶ ̶a̶ ̶s̶a̶m̶p̶l̶e̶ ̶t̶e̶x̶t̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶s̶t̶r̶i̶k̶e̶t̶h̶r̶o̶u̶g̶h̶ ̶t̶e̶x̶t̶ ̶o̶n̶ ̶W̶h̶a̶t̶s̶A̶p̶p̶

How to Italics on WhatsApp

Using shortcuts:

If you don’t want to style the text manually, you can use shortcuts in WhatsApp.

iPhone users should click on the text > Select or Select All > B_I_U. Then, choose Bold, Italic, Strikethrough, or Monospace.

Android users can tap and hold the text you’re entering in the text field, then choose Bold, Italic, or More. To select Strikethrough or Monospace, click on ‘More.’

FAQs

Can I use Underline in WhatsApp?

WhatsApp formatting does not allow users to underline text on Android and iOS devices. However, WhatsApp automatically detects and underlines mobile numbers, website and hyperlinks, dates, and similar information.

Can I use different fonts in WhatsApp?

No. WhatsApp does not support changing the default font on any Android or iOS device. However, you can use WhatsApp formatting to use a Monospace font instead of the default one.

Can I use all the WhatsApp formatting options in the same text message?

Yes, you can use all the WhatsApp formatting options in the same message. You can add them with the help of shortcuts or manually. You are free to use different WhatsApp formatting options for different sections of the same WhatsApp message and use these styles on the same section of the WhatsApp text message. But, you can use other formatting options if you use the Monospace font formatting.

Conclusion

This is how you can use italics style on WhatsApp. As you have read, you can also use bold text, use strikethrough, and monospace.

Unfortunately, WhatsApp doesn’t support customized fonts, but these are still a better option.

I am an ambivert, an avid reader, a movie buff, a tea connoisseur, and a staunch fan of Priyanka Chopra Jonas. I like to give my insights through words, which come naturally to me. They also help me to express the myriads of emotions I go through. When not working, I'm either watching the latest tech videos or flipping through pages.