Crossing Out Text in Discord: A Step-by-Step Guide
In the digital age, communication platforms like Discord have become integral to our daily lives, enabling real-time conversations with friends, colleagues, and communities. One of the platform's unique features is the ability to cross out text, also known as strikethrough, which can be particularly useful when editing messages or emphasizing certain words. In this guide, we'll walk you through the process of crossing out text in Discord, ensuring you can effectively communicate your message.
Understanding Strikethrough in Discord
Before we dive into the steps, let's understand what strikethrough is and why you might use it. Strikethrough allows you to cross out text, making it appear as if it's been crossed out with a single line. This can be used to indicate that a word or phrase has been corrected, removed, or is no longer relevant. It's a visual cue that can help clarify your message and make your conversations more engaging.
Crossing Out Text on a Desktop
Using the Markdown Syntax
Discord uses a simple markup language called Markdown to format text. To create a strikethrough, you'll use two tildes (~~) before and after the text you want to cross out. Here's how you can do it:

- Type your message in the text box.
- Surround the text you want to cross out with two tildes (~~).
- Press Enter to send your message.
For example, if you want to cross out the word "error", you would type: "This is ~~an error~~ a correction". The resulting message will appear as: "This is ~~an error~~ a correction".
Using the Text Formatting Tool
If you prefer a visual interface, Discord also offers a text formatting tool. Here's how to use it:
- Type your message in the text box.
- Highlight the text you want to cross out.
- Click on the "Strikethrough" icon (~~) in the text formatting toolbar above the text box.
- Press Enter to send your message.
Crossing Out Text on a Mobile Device
Crossing out text on the Discord mobile app is just as easy. Here's how:

- Type your message in the text box at the bottom of the screen.
- Surround the text you want to cross out with two tildes (~~).
- Tap the send button (➤) to send your message.
Alternatively, you can use the text formatting toolbar by tapping on the "Format" button (∞) above the text box, highlighting the text, and tapping on the "Strikethrough" icon (~~).
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If you're having trouble getting the strikethrough to work, here are a few things to check:
- Ensure you're using two tildes (~~) before and after the text. Using one tilde (~) will not create a strikethrough.
- Check that you're not accidentally using a symbol similar to a tilde, such as a macron (¯) or an overline (¯).
- Make sure you're not using any Discord bots or plugins that might be interfering with the Markdown syntax.
If you're still having trouble, try restarting the Discord app or even your device. Sometimes, a simple restart can fix temporary glitches.
Conclusion
Crossing out text in Discord is a simple yet powerful way to enhance your conversations. Whether you're correcting a mistake, indicating a change, or adding a touch of emphasis, the strikethrough feature can help you communicate more effectively. With this guide, you're now equipped to use strikethrough like a pro, whether you're on a desktop or mobile device.