How WhatsApp fonts work
WhatsApp gives you a few native formatting options in messages. For everything else, such as cursive, bubble, or aesthetic text, you paste Unicode characters that look like a different font. This page generates those styles from the text you type, ready to copy into WhatsApp.
The conversion runs in your browser. Your text is not sent to WhatsApp or to our servers.
WhatsAppโs native formatting
Use native formatting first when it covers what you need. It is real formatting, so it is easier to read for screen readers and works across WhatsApp apps.
| Effect | Type this | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Bold | *text* |
text |
| Italic | _text_ |
text |
| Strikethrough | ~text~ |
|
| Monospace | ```text``` |
text |
Recent WhatsApp versions have added more options, such as inline code, quotes, and lists. Availability can depend on your app version.
When to use Unicode fonts instead
Native formatting does not include cursive, bubble, small caps, or decorative styles, and it does not apply to every field. Unicode fonts fill those gaps:
| WhatsApp field | Native formatting | Unicode fonts |
|---|---|---|
| Chat messages | Yes | Yes |
| Status text | May vary | Yes |
| About | No | Yes |
| Profile name | No | Yes |
| Group name and description | No / may vary | Yes |
How to use fancy fonts in WhatsApp
- Type your text in the input box at the top of this page.
- Tap Copy next to the style you like.
- Open WhatsApp and go to a chat, your status, or Settings for your name and About.
- Long-press the text field and tap Paste.
- Send or save. Try it in a chat with yourself first if you want to preview.
Styles that suit WhatsApp
| Use | Suggested style |
|---|---|
| Greeting or wish | Cursive script |
| Fun status | Bubble letters |
| Calm, minimal About | Small caps |
| Decorated profile name | Aesthetic frames |
See the cursive font generator, bubble text, and aesthetic fonts pages for more options in each style.
Why styled text can show as boxes
WhatsApp displays text with the fonts on the recipientโs device. If those fonts lack a character, the reader sees an empty box (tofu) or a question mark. Your message can look right on your phone and broken on a friendโs older phone or desktop computer.
Safer choices:
- Cursive, bold, and italic styles have broad support.
- Outlined bubble letters are safer than filled squares, which may turn into emoji.
- Avoid rare decorative symbols in group names that many people will see.
Accessibility note
Screen readers such as TalkBack and VoiceOver may read Unicode styled letters by long technical names or skip them. In family or work groups, that can hide important information. Use WhatsAppโs native bold and italic for emphasis, keep times, addresses, and links in plain text, and save fancy fonts for greetings and decoration.