How to Format Text in Discord
Discord uses a simplified version of Markdown for text formatting. This means you can make your messages stand out with bold text, italics, underlines, and much more—all without any special tools. Just wrap your text with the right symbols, and Discord handles the rest.
Whether you're running a gaming server, managing a community, or just chatting with friends, knowing how to format text effectively can help you communicate more clearly and make important information pop.
Discord Text Formatting Basics
The most common Discord formatting options are easy to remember:
- Bold: Use double asterisks (**text**) to make text bold and attention-grabbing.
- Italic: Use single asterisks (*text*) or underscores (_text_) for emphasis.
- Underline: Use double underscores (__text__) to underline important text.
- Strikethrough: Use double tildes (~~text~~) to cross out text.
- Spoiler: Use double pipes (||text||) to hide spoilers until clicked.
Code Block Formatting
Discord's code blocks are incredibly useful for sharing code snippets, creating formatted text, or even adding colored text to your messages:
- Inline code: Use single backticks (`code`) for short code snippets within a sentence.
- Code blocks: Use triple backticks (```) for multi-line code with optional syntax highlighting.
- Syntax highlighting: Add a language name after the opening backticks (```js) for colored code.
Tips for Better Discord Messages
Here are some pro tips for using Discord text formatting effectively:
- Combine formats for maximum impact: ***bold and italic*** or __**underline and bold**__
- Use spoiler tags for plot discussions, answers to questions, or sensitive content
- Use headings (#, ##, ###) in longer messages to create visual hierarchy
- Quote others with > to clearly reference previous messages
- Use code blocks creatively for ASCII art or formatted announcements
Remember that formatting only works in regular messages—not in usernames, server names, or channel names. Also, some formatting may not display correctly on older Discord clients or third-party apps.