There are two completely different ways to get crossed-out text online, and mixing them up is the most common source of confusion. One is a formatting instruction (Markdown); the other is a Unicode character trick that works anywhere, formatting or not. Here's how to tell them apart and use the right one.
Markdown strikethrough vs. Unicode strikethrough
| Method | How it works | Where it works |
|---|---|---|
| Markdown | Wrap text in ~~tildes~~ | Discord, Slack, WhatsApp, Reddit, GitHub — apps that parse Markdown |
| Unicode combining mark | A strike character (U+0336) inserted after every letter | Anywhere plain text is accepted, including bios and usernames |
How the copy-paste version is built
A generator inserts the combining long-stroke-overlay character after each letter of your text: S̶t̶r̶i̶k̶e̶t̶h̶r̶o̶u̶g̶h̶. Because it's a genuine Unicode combining mark rather than a formatting instruction, it displays as struck-through text in places that have no formatting system at all — an Instagram bio, a username, a plain-text SMS.
Which method to use where
- Use Markdown in apps that render it (Discord messages, Slack, WhatsApp, Reddit) — it's cleaner and doesn't inflate your character count.
- Use Unicode combining strikethrough everywhere Markdown isn't parsed — bios, usernames, nicknames, and any plain-text field.
- If unsure which an app supports, paste a short test first — Markdown that isn't parsed will show the literal tildes instead of struck-through text.
Try it in the font generator
Type your text once and preview every style from this guide side by side.
Open the Font GeneratorFrequently asked questions
Why does ~~this~~ show as tildes instead of strikethrough on some apps?
Markdown strikethrough only renders on apps that specifically parse that syntax. If the app doesn't support it, the literal tilde characters display instead — a Unicode combining-mark strikethrough generator works everywhere as a fallback.
Does Unicode strikethrough count as more characters?
Yes — each combining mark is inserted per letter, so struck-through text using this method uses roughly twice the character count of the same plain text, which matters for platforms with tight limits.
Can I combine strikethrough with bold or italic Unicode text?
Yes, the strikethrough combining mark can be layered onto Mathematical Alphanumeric bold or italic characters, though very heavily stacked combining marks can occasionally render inconsistently on older devices.
Does strikethrough Unicode text work in email?
It generally works in the body of an email since most email clients render standard Unicode, though very old or plain-text-only email clients may not display the combining mark correctly.
Is there a single-line versus double-line strikethrough option?
Standard combining strikethrough is a single line; some generators also offer a double-line variant using a different combining character, though single-line has broader device support.
