Every Discord formatting code
Discord formats messages with Markdown: a few symbols around or in front of your text. This list follows Discord's own help article, "Markdown Text 101", and its developer documentation for timestamps.
| Format | Type this | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bold | **bold** | Two asterisks on each side |
| Italics | *italics* or _italics_ | One asterisk or one underscore |
| Bold italics | ***bold italics*** | Three asterisks |
| Underline | __underline__ | Two underscores |
| Underline + bold | __**text**__ | Underline goes outside |
| Strikethrough | ~~text~~ | Two tildes |
| Spoiler | ||spoiler|| | Hidden until clicked; does not work inside a code block |
| Inline code | `code` | One backtick on each side |
| Code block | ```text``` | Three backticks, can span several lines |
| Big header | # Header | At the start of a line, with a space after # |
| Medium header | ## Header | Same rule |
| Small header | ### Header | Same rule |
| Subtext | -# small grey text | At the very start of a line, with a space |
| Quote one line | > quote | Space after the > |
| Quote several lines | >>> quote | Everything after it is quoted |
| Bulleted list | - item or * item | Two spaces before the dash to indent |
| Numbered list | 1. item | Space after the dot |
| Masked link | [text](https://example.com) | Shows the text as a clickable link |
| Timestamp | <t:1700000000:R> | Use the generator above for the number |
Colored text and fancy letters
Markdown has no color option of its own. The usual trick is an ansi code block with color codes inside, which Discord's desktop app paints in color. Build one without typing codes on the Discord colored text maker. For letters that look different, such as ๐ฏ๐๐๐๐๐๐ or แด
ษช๊ฑแดแดสแด
in a nickname, where formatting does not work, use the Discord fonts page.
Timestamps that fit every time zone
A Discord timestamp is a code like <t:1700000000:F>. The number is the moment in Unix time (seconds since 1 January 1970, UTC) and the letter picks the style. Every reader sees that moment in their own time zone and language, which makes timestamps the cleanest way to announce an event, a stream or a deadline to a server spread across countries. The R style counts down or up ("in 3 hours", "2 days ago") and keeps updating.
When formatting does not work
- Headers, subtext, quotes and lists need their symbol at the start of a line and a space after it.
- Inside a code block nothing else is formatted, spoilers included: the symbols show as typed.
- To show a symbol as typed outside a code block, put a backslash in front of it, for example
\*not italic\*. - Nicknames and channel names do not use Markdown. Use fancy letters there instead.
Questions
How do I make text bold on Discord?
Put two asterisks on each side: **text**. Or select the words in the formatter above, tap B and copy the message.
How do I hide a spoiler on Discord?
Wrap it in two vertical bars on each side: ||spoiler||. Readers click it to reveal it. It does not work inside a code block.
How do I make a code block on Discord?
Put three backticks before and after the text. Add a language name right after the first three backticks, such as ```js, for colored code.
How do Discord timestamps work?
A code like <t:1700000000:R> holds a moment in Unix time. Discord shows it in each reader's own time zone and language. Pick a date above and copy the style you want.
Can I change the text color on Discord?
Not with normal formatting. An ansi code block can show colored text in Discord's desktop app; the Discord colored text maker builds one for you.