How to Change Font Style in WhatsApp
A complete guide covering formatting codes, font size settings on Android and iPhone, desktop shortcuts, and how to do it all without any third-party app.
👋 Introduction
WhatsApp is used by over two billion people every day. Most of them just type and hit send. But there’s a lot more you can do with how your text looks.
You can make words bold. You can italicize them. You can cross something out or write in a fixed-width font. You can even change how big the text appears on your screen. And the best part is you do not need to download anything to do any of this.
This guide covers everything about WhatsApp font style and font size. You’ll learn every formatting code, how to change text size on Android and iPhone, and how to go beyond the basics when you need more options.
💡 WhatsApp Font Style – What It Is and Why It Helps
WhatsApp font style means the way your text looks when someone reads your message. By default, every message looks the same: plain text, same size, same weight. WhatsApp lets you change that.
You can bold something to make it stand out. You can italicize a word to add tone. You can strike through old information. You can use a monospace font for technical content like code or commands. These are not just visual tricks. They make your messages easier to read and understand, especially in long group chats where people skim instead of read carefully.
{ } WhatsApp Font Style Code – Full List
WhatsApp uses a simple symbol-based system. You wrap your words with specific characters, and WhatsApp converts them when the message is sent. These are called WhatsApp font style codes.
| Style | Code to Type | Preview | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bold | *text* | Bold text | *Deadline is Friday* |
| Italic | _text_ | Italic text | _Please read this_ |
| Strikethrough | ~text~ | ~Price: $200~ | |
| Monospace | “`text“` | Fixed width | “`Error 404“` |
| Bold + Italic | *_text_* | Bold italic | *_Critical update_* |
| Bulleted List | – item | • List item | – Buy groceries |
| Numbered List | 1. item | 1. First step | 1. Open the app |
| Quote Block | > text | │ Quoted text | > As discussed earlier |
| Inline Code | `text` | inline | `Ctrl + C` |
* hello * will not work. Writing *hello* will. That small difference is why most people think formatting is broken when it isn’t.✏️ How to Change the Font Style in WhatsApp
There are two ways to apply formatting. Both work on Android and iPhone.
Method 1: Type the Code Directly
This is the fastest method. Add the formatting symbols as you type. When you hit send, WhatsApp processes them and shows the formatted version. No menus, no extra taps. Most regular users prefer this method.
_Please review this first_ → italic
~Old price: $100~ →
“`print(“Hello World”)“` → monospace
Method 2: Use the In-App Formatting Menu
If you don’t want to remember symbols, WhatsApp has a built-in menu that handles it for you.
Launch WhatsApp and open any individual or group conversation.
Write your text in the message box as normal.
Press and hold on a word, then drag the handles to highlight what you want to format.
A small menu appears above the selected text showing Bold, Italic, Strikethrough, and Monospace. On some Android phones, tap the three-dot icon (⋮) to see all options.
The symbols are added automatically. Hit send and the styled text goes through to the recipient.
*_your text_*. WhatsApp renders both at the same time. You can also mix formatted and plain text in a single message, which is useful for highlighting just one part of a longer paragraph.🖥 How to Change Writing Style in WhatsApp on Desktop
WhatsApp Web supports all the same formatting options. If you type faster on a keyboard, desktop formatting is even quicker than on mobile.
Using the Toolbar
Type your message, highlight the text, and a small formatting bar appears above it. Click the icon for the style you want: B for bold, I for italic, S for strikethrough, or the code icon for monospace.
Keyboard Shortcuts
Mac users: replace Ctrl with Cmd.
🔡 How to Change Font Size in WhatsApp
Most guides skip this section. But many people searching for WhatsApp font change are actually looking for bigger or smaller text, not just bold or italic. Here’s how to do it on every platform.
Android
- Open WhatsApp
- Tap ⋮ (three-dot menu)
- Go to Settings
- Tap Chats
- Tap Font Size
- Choose Small, Medium, or Large
iPhone
- Open iPhone Settings
- Go to Display & Brightness
- Tap Text Size
- Drag the slider
- For larger sizes: Settings → Accessibility → Larger Text
WhatsApp Web
- No built-in size setting
- Use browser zoom instead
- Zoom in: Ctrl + Plus
- Zoom out: Ctrl + Minus
- Reset: Ctrl + 0
🚫 How to Change Font Style in WhatsApp Without Any App
This is one of the most common questions about WhatsApp formatting. The answer is simple. You do not need any app at all.
Every formatting option in this guide works natively inside WhatsApp. The formatting codes use characters already on your keyboard. The formatting menu is built into the app. The font size setting is in WhatsApp’s own settings on Android, and in iOS settings on iPhone.
The only time an external tool makes sense is when you want something WhatsApp does not offer natively, like decorative font styles or converting text between script formats.
For users who type in Hindi using Krutidev encoding, WhatsApp may not display that text correctly on modern devices. Converting it to Unicode first using Krutidev to Unicode solves that completely. WhatsApp fully supports Unicode, so converted Hindi text renders perfectly on all devices.
🌐 Going Beyond Built-In WhatsApp Text Style
WhatsApp’s built-in formatting covers most everyday needs. But some users, especially those running WhatsApp Business accounts, want more variety in how text looks.
Unicode Font Styles
Unicode includes character sets that look like different font styles: 𝗯𝗼𝗹𝗱, 𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘤, 𝙢𝙤𝙣𝙤𝙨𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙚, 𝓈𝒸𝓇𝒾𝓅𝓉. These are actual characters, not font changes, so they display correctly on all devices without any app or settings. Just use a Unicode text generator online, copy the styled text, and paste it into WhatsApp.
Hindi Text on WhatsApp
If you type Hindi in Krutidev encoding, the characters won’t display correctly on modern phones. Convert the text to Unicode first using Krutidev to Unicode, then paste it into WhatsApp. The result works perfectly in chats, Status updates, and broadcasts.
This tool is especially useful for journalists, content writers, educators, and government staff who use legacy Krutidev encoding daily and need their Hindi text to render across all digital platforms.
⚡ Practical Tips for WhatsApp Font Change
Use Bold for One or Two Things Per Message
If every line is bold, nothing stands out. Bold should point to the one thing that actually needs attention: a deadline, a name, or an action item. Use it sparingly and it stays powerful.
Use Italic for Tone, Not Decoration
Italic works well for clarifications, references, or phrases you want the reader to hear differently. Do not use it just to make text look different. Use it when the tone needs to shift.
Monospace Is for Technical Content
Code, commands, file paths, error messages. These all belong in monospace. It visually separates technical content from regular text and signals precision to the reader. Using it for normal sentences looks out of place.
Quote Blocks Reduce Confusion in Group Chats
When referencing something said hours ago in a group, a quote block gives context instantly without asking people to scroll. It’s one of the most underused formatting tools in WhatsApp.
Don’t Mix Too Many Styles in One Message
Two or three formatting types is the limit. Beyond that, the message becomes visually cluttered and harder to follow. Well-structured plain text is often more readable than a heavily formatted message.
Build Your Typing Speed for Faster Formatting
Formatting becomes effortless when you type accurately and quickly. If symbols and punctuation slow you down, practicing with an Online Typing Test is a direct way to improve. A higher WPM score means less friction when composing formatted messages, especially on desktop where shortcuts save even more time.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Does WhatsApp font style work in Status updates?
Yes. All formatting codes work inside WhatsApp Status. Use the same symbols in the Status text editor and they’ll render correctly when contacts view your status.
Can I change the font for the entire WhatsApp app?
Not through WhatsApp itself. On Android, you can change the system font through your phone’s display settings and WhatsApp will follow it. On iPhone, the app uses the iOS system font. Neither option gives you full control over just WhatsApp’s chat font.
Will recipients see formatted text on older versions of WhatsApp?
On very old versions, recipients may see the raw symbols instead of formatted text. Both sender and receiver should keep WhatsApp updated to get consistent results across all devices.
Does formatting work in WhatsApp Business?
Yes. WhatsApp Business supports all the same formatting options. It’s especially useful in automated replies, quick replies, and broadcast messages where structure and emphasis improve how customers read your content.
Why isn’t my WhatsApp font change working?
The most common reason is a space between the symbol and the text. Check that you’ve written *hello* and not * hello *. If it still doesn’t work, update WhatsApp to the latest version and try again.
How do I send Hindi text that displays correctly on WhatsApp?
If you type Hindi in Krutidev encoding, the characters won’t show correctly on modern phones. Convert the text to Unicode using Krutidev to Unicode first, then paste it into WhatsApp. It will display correctly on all devices.
How can I type formatting codes faster?
The more comfortable you are with punctuation and special characters, the faster you will format. An Online Typing Test measures your speed and accuracy and helps you build consistency with the keyboard, including the symbols used in WhatsApp formatting like asterisks, underscores, and backticks.
✅ Conclusion
Changing font style in WhatsApp is easier than most people expect. The built-in formatting codes take two minutes to learn and work on every platform: Android, iPhone, and desktop. No app required.
For font size, Android users can change it directly in WhatsApp settings. iPhone users adjust it through iOS display settings. WhatsApp Web follows your browser zoom level.
Good formatting makes messages clearer. It saves the reader’s time and reduces misunderstanding. That’s always worth the extra two seconds it takes.