Want to cross out a word, correct a message, or add a little sarcasm to your Discord chat? You do not need a special bot, a plugin, or a complicated setting. Discord supports strikethrough formatting through a simple Markdown trick that takes only a few seconds to learn.
The secret is to place two tilde symbols (~~) before and after the text you want to cross out. Type ~~your text~~ in the message box, send the message, and Discord displays the words with a line through them. The same basic syntax works in Discord’s desktop app, web version, and mobile apps.
How to Strikethrough Text in Discord
The easiest way to use Discord strikethrough is with Markdown formatting. You can apply it to a single word, a complete sentence, or a longer section of text.
Step 1: Open a Discord Chat
Open Discord on your computer, in a web browser, or on your phone. Navigate to the server channel, group chat, or direct message where you want to send your message.
Step 2: Type Two Tildes Before Your Text
Enter two tilde symbols at the beginning of the text you want to cross out.
For example, type:
~~This message is outdated~~
Make sure both tilde symbols appear before the first word.
Step 3: Add Two Tildes After Your Text
Place another pair of tildes after the last word.
Your complete formatting should look like this:
~~I will join the game later~~
The two tildes on each side tell Discord to apply strikethrough formatting to the enclosed text.
Step 4: Send Your Message
Press Enter on a computer or tap the send button on your phone. Discord interprets the Markdown syntax and displays the sentence with a line through it.
The result: I will join the game later
You do not need to enable Markdown or change your account settings. Discord handles the formatting automatically when it recognizes the syntax.
Want. more easier approach?
Go and try our Free Discord Strikethrough Generator tool.
Discord Strikethrough Syntax at a Glance
Here is the main rule to remember when you want to cross out text in Discord.
| What you want to format | What you type | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| One word | ~~wrong~~ | Crosses out one word |
| A short phrase | ~~not available~~ | Crosses out the phrase |
| A complete sentence | ~~I changed my mind~~ | Crosses out the sentence |
| A price | ~~$50~~ | Crosses out the original price |
| An outdated date | ~~Monday~~ | Marks the date as crossed out |
Quick answer: Use ~~text~~ for Discord strikethrough. Keep two tildes on each side of the text, and do not insert spaces between the tildes and the first or last character you want to format.
How to Strikethrough Text on Discord PC
You can format Discord messages on Windows and macOS without downloading additional software. The Markdown method is the simplest option because it works directly in the message composer.
Method 1: Use the Tilde Symbol
- Open the Discord desktop app.
- Select a channel or direct message.
- Type two tilde symbols before your text.
- Enter the text you want to cross out.
- Type two more tildes at the end.
- Send the message.
For example:
~~The meeting starts at 7 PM~~
After sending it, Discord renders the text with a line through it.
Where Is the Tilde Key on a Keyboard?
On many US English keyboards, the tilde symbol shares a key with the backtick, located near the upper-left corner of the keyboard, below Esc and to the left of the number 1.
To type a tilde on that layout, hold Shift and press the backtick key.
You need to type the symbol twice at the beginning and twice at the end. The full sequence is four tildes surrounding your text.
Keyboard layouts differ by country and language. If your keyboard places the tilde elsewhere, use the layout’s corresponding key combination or copy this symbol: ~.
Method 2: Use Discord’s Formatting Tools
Some versions of Discord provide a formatting toolbar when you select text or open the message formatting options.
When the strikethrough option is available:
- Select the text you want to format, if the interface supports text selection in the composer.
- Open the formatting controls.
- Choose the strikethrough option, commonly represented by an S with a line through it.
- Review the result in the composer.
- Send your message.
The exact toolbar layout can vary by Discord version and interface. If you cannot find the formatting control, typing ~~text~~ remains the most direct approach.
How to Strikethrough Text in Discord Web
Discord’s web version supports the same basic Markdown syntax as its desktop application. You do not need to install the desktop client or use a browser extension.
Follow these steps:
- Open Discord in your browser and sign in.
- Enter the text channel or direct message you want to use.
- Type
~~before the text. - Add another
~~after the text. - Send the message.
For example, enter:
~~The old announcement~~
Discord should display the formatted text as:
The old announcement
This method is useful if you use Discord on a shared computer, prefer a browser-based workspace, or do not want to install another application.
If strikethrough is not appearing, check your Markdown syntax first. Installing an extension is not normally necessary to use this feature.
How to Strikethrough Text in Discord Mobile
You can use strikethrough on both Android and iPhone. The process is similar to the desktop method, though typing special symbols may take a little more effort on a phone keyboard.
On Android
- Open the Discord app.
- Enter the channel or conversation where you want to send the message.
- Tap the message field.
- Open the symbols keyboard on your phone.
- Find the tilde symbol (
~) and type it twice. - Enter your message.
- Add two more tildes at the end.
- Tap Send.
Example:
~~I forgot to update the schedule~~
Your message should appear with the enclosed text crossed out.
If your keyboard does not display the tilde on its main symbols screen, check its secondary symbols layout. You can also copy the character from another source and paste it into the message field.
On iPhone
- Open Discord on your iPhone.
- Choose a text channel or direct message.
- Tap the message composer.
- Switch to the numbers and symbols keyboard.
- Locate the tilde symbol and enter it twice.
- Type the text you want to cross out.
- Enter two closing tildes.
- Send the message.
For example:
~~I will finish this tomorrow~~
Discord should format the sentence when you send it.
Can You Use Strikethrough Without Typing the Symbols on Mobile?
Your options depend on the Discord interface and app version. If a formatting toolbar appears when you select text or open the composer controls, you can use its strikethrough option if available.
The Markdown method remains a dependable alternative when you cannot find the toolbar. You can also prepare a frequently used formatted phrase in a notes app and paste it into Discord, provided the text contains the correct tilde characters.
How to Strikethrough Only Part of a Discord Message
You do not have to cross out an entire sentence. Discord lets you place strikethrough formatting around a specific word or phrase.
For example, suppose you want to announce a change in a gaming schedule.
Instead of writing:
The match is on Saturday, not Friday.
You can write:
The match is on ~~Friday~~ Saturday.
The result looks like this:
The match is on Friday Saturday.
This makes the correction immediately visible without requiring you to rewrite the entire message.
You can use the same approach for:
- Correcting a person’s name or a spelling error.
- Marking an old price next to a new price.
- Showing a task that has been canceled.
- Editing a schedule or event announcement.
- Adding humorous corrections to casual conversations.
Keep the opening and closing tildes around only the words you want to cross out. Text outside those symbols remains unaffected.
How to Combine Strikethrough With Other Discord Formatting
Discord supports several Markdown styles, and you can combine some of them to make your messages more expressive.
Strikethrough and Bold
Use bold formatting to emphasize text that also needs to be crossed out.
Example:
~~**This offer has expired**~~
This combines the bold and strikethrough markers. Formatting combinations can depend on how Discord parses the syntax, so check the preview or the sent message if the result does not appear as expected.
Strikethrough and Italics
You can also combine strikethrough with italics.
Example:
~~*That was my original plan*~~
This is useful for informal corrections, playful comments, or showing that a previous thought is no longer relevant.
Strikethrough and Underline
Discord uses double underscores to create underlined text. You can attempt to combine underline with strikethrough by enclosing the text in both styles.
Example:
~~__Old heading__~~
The appearance of combined styles depends on Markdown parsing. Test the exact combination in a message before relying on it for an important announcement.
Strikethrough and Spoilers
Strikethrough and spoiler formatting serve different purposes.
For strikethrough, type:
~~The character survives~~
For spoiler formatting, type:
||The character survives||
Strikethrough leaves the text readable with a line through it. A spoiler conceals the text until a reader reveals it.
Use strikethrough for visible corrections or humor. Use spoilers when revealing information could ruin a game, movie, show, or story for someone.
Strikethrough vs. Other Discord Text Formatting
Discord’s Markdown features give you several ways to style your messages. Knowing which syntax to use helps you communicate your meaning without making messages harder to read.
| Formatting style | Markdown syntax | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| Strikethrough | ~~text~~ | Crossed-out words, corrections, and canceled items |
| Bold | **text** | Emphasizing important words |
| Italics | *text* | Light emphasis or a change in tone |
| Underline | __text__ | Highlighting a heading or phrase |
| Spoiler | ||text|| | Concealing information until the reader reveals it |
| Inline code | `text` | Displaying commands, symbols, or code literally |
Strikethrough vs. Spoiler Formatting
These two styles are easy to confuse because both can draw attention to selected text.
A crossed-out sentence is still visible to everyone who can read your message. The line indicates that the text has been removed, corrected, or presented as no longer valid.
A spoiler, by comparison, conceals the content behind a reveal interaction. This is more appropriate for plot details, surprise endings, and other information you do not want to display immediately.
Do not use strikethrough as a substitute for a spoiler when you genuinely need to hide information.
Strikethrough vs. Inline Code
Inline code displays text in a code-style format. It is especially useful when you want to show Markdown syntax without having Discord interpret it as formatting.
For example, typing ~~hello~~ directly in a message applies strikethrough.
If you enclose that syntax in backticks, like `~~hello~~`, Discord displays the symbols as code instead of applying the strikethrough style.
This distinction matters when explaining Markdown to other server members, documenting commands, or sharing formatting examples.
How to Fix Discord Strikethrough Not Working
If you type the syntax and the text remains unchanged, you can usually identify the problem with a few basic checks.
1. Check That You Used Two Tildes on Each Side
The correct format is:
~~your text~~
A single tilde on either side is not the standard Discord strikethrough syntax. Check that you entered two opening symbols and two closing symbols.
2. Remove Unnecessary Spaces Around the Text
Use this:
~~crossed-out text~~
Avoid this:
~~ crossed-out text ~~
Spaces between the tildes and the enclosed text can interfere with the expected formatting. Place the first tilde directly before the first character and the final tilde directly after the last character.
3. Check That Both Pairs of Tildes Are Present
An incomplete expression may not produce the result you expect.
Incorrect:
~~This message is outdated
Correct:
~~This message is outdated~~
The opening and closing markers are both necessary.
4. Make Sure You Are Not Using a Code Block
Markdown formatting does not behave the same way inside code blocks. If you write the strikethrough syntax inside a code block, Discord treats it as code and may show the tilde characters literally.
For ordinary strikethrough, enter the syntax directly into the message composer without wrapping the entire expression in backticks.
5. Check the Text Preview
On supported desktop and web interfaces, Discord may show formatting in the composer before you send your message. If the preview does not show the expected result, inspect the markers.
Mobile interfaces may provide different preview behavior. You can test the syntax in a private conversation or an appropriate test channel before using it in an important announcement.
6. Check for Conflicting Markdown
When combining multiple formatting styles, make sure every opening marker has the appropriate closing marker. Complicated combinations can produce results you did not intend.
First, test a simple expression such as ~~hello~~. If that works, add other formatting styles one at a time.
7. Check Whether You Are Typing in the Correct Field
Strikethrough formatting is designed for supported Discord text content. Do not assume the same Markdown syntax will work in every interface element, profile field, username, or third-party application that displays Discord information.
If ordinary chat messages format correctly but another field does not, the issue may be that the particular field does not support that formatting style.
How to Type Tildes Without Applying Strikethrough
Sometimes you need to show someone the actual Markdown syntax, not the formatted result. For example, you might be explaining Discord formatting in a help channel.
There are two common approaches.
Use Inline Code
Place a backtick before and after the syntax:
`~~example~~`
The code formatting tells Discord to display the characters literally.
Escape the Markdown Symbols
Discord Markdown supports escaping special characters with a backslash in appropriate contexts.
For example, you can try:
\~\~example\~\~
This tells the Markdown parser to treat the escaped symbols as literal characters.
For a tutorial or technical explanation, inline code is usually easier to read because it separates the example syntax from ordinary message text.
When Should You Use Strikethrough on Discord?
Strikethrough is more than a decorative style. It can communicate a change in status or make a correction easier to notice.
Correcting Outdated Information
Suppose you announced the wrong time for an event. You can cross out the original time and provide the corrected one.
Example:
The event begins at ~~6 PM~~ 8 PM.
This lets readers identify what changed without searching through a long conversation.
For official announcements, make sure the updated information is unambiguous. A crossed-out date alone may not tell every reader what the current schedule is.
Tracking Tasks
Server moderators, project teams, and gaming groups can use strikethrough to indicate completed or canceled items.
Example:
~~Update the server rules~~
For a long-running task list, a dedicated bot, forum post, or project management tool may offer better tracking. Strikethrough is most useful for quick updates inside ordinary chat.
Adding Humor and Sarcasm
Discord conversations often involve jokes and playful exaggeration. Strikethrough makes it possible to show the original thought and then humorously take it back.
Example:
I am definitely not going to buy another game. ~~Probably.~~
Used sparingly, this can give your message an informal tone without requiring additional explanation.
Showing Price Changes
When sharing a price update, you can cross out an older amount and display the new one.
Example:
Old price: ~~$40~~ New price: $30
For purchases or sales, keep the current price easy to identify. Do not use formatting in a way that could mislead readers about the actual cost.
Frequently Asked Questions About Discord Strikethrough
What Is the Shortcut for Strikethrough in Discord?
The standard Markdown syntax is ~~text~~. Type two tildes on each side of the text you want to cross out. Keyboard shortcuts and toolbar controls can vary by interface, so Markdown is the most straightforward method to remember.
Does Discord Strikethrough Work on Mobile?
Yes. You can use the same double-tilde syntax in Discord’s Android and iPhone apps. Open the symbol keyboard to locate the tilde character, or use a formatting option if your version of Discord provides one.
Can You Strikethrough Only One Word?
Yes. Place two tildes immediately before and after the word.
Example:
That is ~~wrong~~ correct.
Only the enclosed word receives strikethrough formatting.
Can You Strikethrough an Entire Sentence?
Yes. Put two tildes at the beginning of the sentence and another two at the end.
Example:
~~I no longer need this reminder.~~
Does Discord Require a Bot for Strikethrough?
No. Discord supports Markdown strikethrough in ordinary chat messages. You do not need to install a bot, buy a subscription, or use an external formatting website for this basic feature.
Can You Strikethrough Multiple Words?
Yes. You can enclose a whole phrase, sentence, or longer passage in the same pair of opening and closing markers.
Example:
~~Please use the old invitation link.~~
For longer announcements, make sure the crossed-out portion is easy to distinguish from the current instructions.
Why Does Discord Show the Tildes Instead of Crossing Out My Text?
The usual causes are missing tilde symbols, incorrectly placed spaces, incomplete Markdown, or the use of code formatting. Check the expression ~~hello~~ in a normal message composer. If it renders correctly, review the syntax in your original message.
Can You Edit a Message to Add Strikethrough?
Yes. You can edit a message you are permitted to edit, add the opening and closing tildes around the desired text, and save the changes. The resulting message should display the crossed-out text if the field supports Discord’s standard Markdown formatting.
Is Strikethrough the Same as Deleting a Message?
No. Strikethrough changes how text appears. The crossed-out text remains visible in the message. Deleting a message removes that message from the conversation according to Discord’s behavior and permissions.
Use strikethrough when readers should still be able to see the original wording. Edit or delete a message when you need to correct or remove the content itself.
Can You Use Strikethrough in Every Part of Discord?
Not necessarily. Standard chat messages support Markdown formatting, but individual interface elements and profile fields may have different rules. The most reliable place to use ~~text~~ is a regular Discord message.
Start Using Discord Strikethrough With Confidence
You only need to remember one piece of syntax to cross out text in Discord: ~~your text~~.
Type two tildes before the words, add two more at the end, and send the message. The same method works in standard text chats on desktop, web, Android, and iPhone.
Use strikethrough to mark outdated information, show corrections, keep casual task updates readable, or add a playful touch to your conversations. When you need to hide a spoiler, use Discord’s spoiler formatting instead. When you need to show the actual Markdown symbols, use inline code.
Once you understand the difference between these options, you can format your Discord messages with greater control and communicate changes without rewriting everything from scratch.
