The Ultimate Discord Markdown Guide 2026: Master Text Formatting

The Ultimate Discord Markdown Guide for 2026

Discord's markdown system is one of its most powerful yet underused features. Mastering Discord text formatting lets you create clear, organized, and visually appealing messages, server rules, guides, and announcements that stand out. Whether you're a server owner, moderator, or just a regular user, this complete Discord markdown guide will teach you every trick you need to know.

We'll cover everything from basic formatting like bold and italic, to advanced tricks like syntax highlighting in code blocks, nested lists, and even using ANSI colored text (yes, that's a real thing!). By the end of this guide, you'll be a Discord markdown pro!

Basic Discord Text Formatting

Let's start with the basics! These are the most commonly used Discord markdown tricks, and they're super easy to learn.

1. How to Bold on Discord

Bolding text is perfect for highlighting important information like server rules or key points in a guide. To make bold text on Discord, wrap your text in double asterisks (**) or double underscores (__).

**This text is bold**
__This is also bold__

2. How to Italicize on Discord

Italics are great for emphasis, quotes, or highlighting titles. To make italic text on Discord, wrap your text in single asterisks (*) or single underscores (_).

*This text is italic*
_This is also italic_

3. How to Strikethrough on Discord

Strikethrough is useful for showing corrections, outdated information, or jokes. To make strikethrough text on Discord, wrap your text in double tildes (~~).

~~This text is crossed out~~

4. How to Underline on Discord

Underlining text is another way to highlight key information. To underline text on Discord, wrap your text in double underscores (__) — wait, no, wait! Wait, for underline, you use double underscores? Wait no, hold on: For underlined text on Discord, you wrap it in double underscores? Wait no, no, let's clarify: Wait, actually, to underline, you use two underscores on each side, and if you want bold and underline, you can combine them!

__This text is underlined__
**__This is bold AND underlined__**

5. How to Combine Formatting Styles

You can combine multiple Discord markdown styles together! Want bold italic text? Or bold italic underlined text? You got it! Just nest the formatting characters.

**_This text is bold AND italic_**
~~**This is bold AND strikethrough**~~
__*This is underlined AND italic*__

Discord Code Blocks & Inline Code

Code blocks are essential for sharing code, commands, or any text you want to keep formatted exactly as you write it. Discord supports both inline code and multi-line code blocks, plus syntax highlighting for dozens of programming languages!

1. Inline Code

For short snippets of code or commands within a sentence, use inline code. Wrap your text in single backticks (`).

Type `/help` to see all commands

2. Multi-Line Code Blocks

For longer pieces of code, use multi-line code blocks. Wrap your text in triple backticks (```). You can also specify a programming language after the opening triple backticks to get syntax highlighting!

```javascript
console.log("Hello, Discord!");
function add(a, b) {
  return a + b;
}
```

Discord supports syntax highlighting for tons of languages: JavaScript, Python, Java, C++, HTML, CSS, and many more! Just add the language name right after the opening triple backticks.

Discord Spoilers

Spoilers are perfect for hiding movie endings, game plot twists, or surprise announcements. To make a spoiler on Discord, wrap your text in double vertical bars (||).

||Darth Vader is Luke's father!||

When someone clicks on a spoiler, it reveals the hidden text. Spoilers work on both desktop and mobile! You can test your spoiler tags in our Discord Spoiler Previewer.

Discord Lists (Bullet, Numbered, and Checklists)

Lists are a great way to organize information, and Discord supports three types of lists: bullet lists, numbered lists, and checklists. Plus, you can nest lists up to three levels deep for complex hierarchies!

1. Bullet Lists

To make a bullet list on Discord, start each line with a hyphen and a space (- ), or an asterisk and a space (* ).

- First item
- Second item
- Third item

2. Numbered Lists

To make a numbered list, start each line with a number followed by a dot and a space (1. ). The numbers don't even have to be in order — Discord will automatically number them correctly!

1. First item
2. Second item
3. Third item

3. Checklists

Checklists are perfect for to-do lists or task tracking! To make a checklist, start each line with - [ ] for an unchecked item, or - [x] for a checked item.

- [x] Finish Discord markdown guide
- [ ] Write another blog post
- [ ] Take a break

4. Nested/Indented Lists

To nest a list (make an indented list), add two spaces before the list item. You can nest lists up to three levels deep!

- Parent item
  - Nested item (2 spaces)
    - Double-nested item (4 spaces)
- Another parent item

Want an easy way to make perfect indented lists without counting spaces? Use our Discord Indented List Generator!

Discord Quotes & Blockquotes

Discord supports both inline quotes and multi-line blockquotes for highlighting text from other users or sources.

1. Inline Quotes

For short quotes within a sentence, start the line with a single greater-than sign and a space (> ).

> This is a short quote

2. Multi-Line Blockquotes

For longer quotes that span multiple lines, start the first line with three greater-than signs and a space (>>> ). All following lines will be part of the quote!

>>> This is a multi-line blockquote.
Every line after the first one
will also be quoted!

Discord Links

Discord automatically turns most URLs into clickable links, but you can also make custom named links! To make a named link, use the format [Link Text](URL).

Check out [our website](https://freediscordtools.in) for more Discord tools!

Note: Custom named links only work in messages on servers that have the "Embed Links" permission enabled for your role.

Discord ANSI Colored Text

Did you know you can use colored text on Discord? It's a bit of a hidden feature, but it works! You use ANSI escape codes inside a multi-line code block with the ansi language specified.

```ansi
\u001b[31mThis text is red!\u001b[0m
\u001b[32mThis text is green!\u001b[0m
\u001b[33mThis text is yellow!\u001b[0m
```

Want an easy way to make colored text without memorizing ANSI codes? Use our Discord Colored Text Generator!

Discord Timestamps

Discord timestamps are amazing for scheduling events across time zones! They automatically convert to each user's local time. We have a whole separate guide on this, and a great tool to make them!

To make a Discord timestamp, you use the format <t:UNIX_TIMESTAMP:FORMAT>. But don't worry about calculating Unix timestamps manually — use our Discord Timestamp Generator!

Discord Markdown Cheat Sheet

Here's a quick reference cheat sheet for all the Discord markdown tricks we've covered! Bookmark this page so you always have it handy.

Format	Syntax	Result
Bold	**text**	text
Italic	*text*	text
Strikethrough	~~text~~	text
Underline	__text__	text
Inline Code	`text`	text
Code Block	```text```	text
Spoiler	||text||	text
Bullet List	- item	• item
Checklist	- [ ] item	☐ item

Final Tips for Discord Markdown

• Practice makes perfect: The best way to learn Discord markdown is to use it! Try different styles in your server's #bot-spam or #testing channel.
• Use our tools: We have a bunch of free tools to make Discord formatting easier, from Markdown Previewer to Timestamp Makers.
• Keep it readable: Don't overuse formatting! Too much bold, italic, or color can make your messages hard to read.

And that's it! You're now a Discord markdown master! Go forth and make beautiful, organized messages for your server!