Want to make your WhatsApp conversations more engaging? Do you want to emphasize a concept, correct a mistake elegantly, or express irony with a simple touch? Strikethrough text is the solution for you! This often-underestimated feature allows you to customize your messages and communicate more effectively.
With this comprehensive guide, you’ll discover everything you need to know about strikethrough text on WhatsApp. You’ll learn how to enable this formatting, the different contexts in which it can be useful, tips and tricks for creative use, how to troubleshoot any issues, and even the influence it can have on the perception of the message.
Whether you’re an expert user or a WhatsApp newbie, this guide will show you how to make the most of strikethrough text to make your conversations more dynamic, engaging, and memorable. Get ready to amaze your contacts with original and impactful messages!
What is Strikethrough Text and How to Use It on WhatsApp
Strikethrough text is a formatting style that displays a horizontal line through the text, like this: ~strikethrough text~. On WhatsApp, to achieve this effect, simply place the word or phrase you want to strike through between two tildes (~).
For example, to write “Hello world” with the word “world” struck through, you would type: Hello ~world~.
Using Strikethrough Text in a Collaborative Context
Beyond its more creative uses, strikethrough text proves to be a valuable tool in WhatsApp groups, where effective communication is crucial. When working on a shared project or organizing an event, strikethrough text allows you to make changes and updates in a clear and orderly manner.
Here are some practical examples:
- Editing a shared document: “Proposal for the weekend: Trip to the ~lake~ sea”
- Updating a shopping list: “~Milk~, eggs, bread, fruit”
- Organizing an event: “Saturday dinner: ~8:00 PM~ 9:00 PM”
Thanks to strikethrough text, all group members can easily keep track of changes, avoiding confusion and improving collaboration.
Strikethrough Text on Different Devices
The procedure for writing strikethrough text on WhatsApp is the same on all devices, whether it’s an Android smartphone, an iPhone, or WhatsApp Web.
As you can see, the method is universal: just insert a tilde (~) before and after the text you want to strike through.
Tips and Tricks for Strikethrough Text
Once you’ve learned the basic mechanism, you can get creative! Here are some ideas for using strikethrough text in original ways:
- Combine strikethrough with other styles: You can combine strikethrough text with bold (*) and italics (_) to create even more unique effects. For example, you can write text that is ~*strikethrough and bold*~ or ~_strikethrough and italic_~.
- Experiment with punctuation: Try striking through only certain words in a sentence or striking through punctuation to create unexpected effects. For example: “What a ~wonderful~ day!” or “Today I feel really… ~bad~.”
- Create wordplay: Strikethrough text can be used to create fun and original wordplay. For example, you can write “This is a ~bargain~ ~unmissable~ deal.”
Troubleshooting
If you’re having trouble with strikethrough text, here are some possible solutions:
- The text is not struck through: Make sure you are using the tilde (~) and not other similar characters. Also, check that your device’s keyboard is set up correctly and that you are using the latest version of WhatsApp.
- Strikethrough text looks different on other devices: The appearance of strikethrough text may vary slightly depending on the device, operating system, and WhatsApp version being used.
- Issues with different keyboards: Some keyboards may have a different layout or require specific key combinations to type the tilde (~). Check your keyboard settings to find out how to insert this special character.
Accessibility and Strikethrough Text
It’s important to consider that strikethrough text may not be accessible to all users. People with visual impairments who use screen readers to read messages may have difficulty interpreting strikethrough text correctly.
To ensure your message is understandable to everyone, consider using alternatives, such as:
- Explicit words: Instead of striking through a word, write “deleted” or “incorrect” before or after the word itself. For example, instead of “Appointment at ~3:00 PM~”, write “Appointment at 3:00 PM (incorrect: 4:00 PM)”.
- Parentheses: Enclose the word or phrase you want to “strike through” in parentheses and add an explanatory comment. For example: “(Movies – canceled) Theater”.
The Impact of Strikethrough Text on Communication
Strikethrough text not only has a functional value but can also influence the perception of the message. The line crossing through the text can convey different emotions and nuances, such as:
- Irony: “Sure, I’m so ~happy~ to be working late!”
- Sarcasm: “What ~wonderful~ news!”
- Disappointment: “~Thanks a lot~ for the help.”
- Correction: “I meant to say ~good morning~ good evening.”
Being aware of these nuances allows you to use strikethrough text strategically to enrich your communication and make your messages more expressive.
In Brief (TL;DR)
Strikethrough text on WhatsApp is a simple yet effective way to add a touch of originality to your messages.
Just enclose the text between two tildes (~) to get the desired effect.
Experiment with different combinations and discover how strikethrough text can enrich your conversations!
Conclusion

Strikethrough text, seemingly a simple formatting feature, proves to be a versatile and powerful tool in WhatsApp communication. From correcting a mistake to expressing complex emotions like irony and sarcasm, strikethrough text offers a range of possibilities to customize your messages and make them more effective.
Mastering this feature means not only knowing the correct command (the two tildes ~), but also knowing how to adapt it to the context. In a work group, for example, strikethrough text can be useful for indicating changes to a document or keeping track of decisions made. In an informal chat, however, it can add nuances of meaning to your message, allowing you to express irony, sarcasm, or emphasis more effectively.
It is important, however, to be aware of the impact that strikethrough text can have on the recipient. In some cases, it could be interpreted as a sign of passive-aggressiveness or disappointment. Carefully consider the context and your audience before using this formatting.
By combining strikethrough text with other formatting tools, such as bold and italics, you can create even more meaningful and personalized messages. Experiment with different combinations and discover how strikethrough text can improve your communication on WhatsApp.
Frequently Asked Questions

To write with strikethrough on WhatsApp, add a tilde (~) before and after the text. For example: ~strikethrough text~ .
Enclose the word you want to strike through between two tildes (~). For example: ~word~ .
Yes, you can combine strikethrough text with other formatting styles like bold and italics. For example, for bold and strikethrough text, type: ~*text*~.
Yes, strikethrough text works on all devices that support WhatsApp, including Android and iPhone .
Make sure you are using the tilde (~) and not other similar characters. Also, check that your keyboard is set up correctly and that you have the latest version of WhatsApp.




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