Two Ways to Get Strikethrough Text
There are actually two completely different ways to cross out text online, and knowing which one applies where saves a lot of trial and error.
Native formatting. Some apps — Discord, Slack, and a few others — have built-in strikethrough syntax, usually two tildes around the text (~~like this~~). This only works inside the specific app that supports it, and it's rendered by that app's own formatting engine, not by the text itself.
Unicode combining characters. A strikethrough generator works differently: it inserts a special Unicode "combining" character (U+0336) after every letter you type, which draws a line through the character before it. Because this is baked directly into the text itself rather than being app-specific formatting, it works absolutely anywhere that displays plain Unicode text — Instagram, Twitter, WhatsApp, product descriptions, anywhere.
When to Use Each Method
If you're already inside an app with native strikethrough support (Discord and Slack both have it), the built-in syntax is usually the cleaner choice — it renders as a true formatting style rather than stacking a visual character on top of each letter. Reach for the Unicode generator specifically for anywhere that doesn't have native support — Instagram captions and bios, Twitter/X posts, most product listing platforms, and general messaging apps.
How to Copy and Paste Strikethrough Text
- Type your text into the Strikethrough Generator.
- Preview the result — the strikethrough line applies to your text in real time.
- Copy it to your clipboard.
- Paste it anywhere — since it's plain Unicode text, no special formatting support is required on the receiving end.
Common Uses for Strikethrough Text
Sale pricing. Crossing out an original price next to a discounted one is one of the most common practical uses — it works in places like Instagram captions and marketplace listings that don't offer native price-formatting tools.
Edits and corrections. Showing a "before and after" — crossing out an old plan, name, or decision and replacing it with the new one — is a quick way to signal a change without deleting the original context.
Humor and emphasis. Crossing out a word and replacing it with a more honest or exaggerated alternative is a widely used comedic device on social media.
A Readability Note
Because strikethrough Unicode adds a character after every single letter, it roughly doubles the effective length of your text and can be genuinely harder to read at length, especially on smaller screens. It works best for short phrases, prices, or single words rather than full sentences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the strikethrough text generator free?
Yes, generating and copying strikethrough text is free, with no signup and no limit on use.
Does strikethrough text work on Instagram captions?
Yes. Instagram has no native strikethrough formatting, so a Unicode strikethrough generator is the only way to get crossed-out text in a caption, comment, or bio there.
Why does Discord's strikethrough look different from copy-pasted strikethrough?
Discord's native ~~text~~ syntax is rendered by Discord itself as true formatting, producing a clean line. Unicode strikethrough stacks a combining character on each letter — visually similar, but a different underlying mechanism, and occasionally slightly less crisp depending on the font.
Can I use strikethrough text in a product listing?
Yes, since it's plain text, it works in most marketplace and e-commerce description fields, making it a common (if slightly informal) way to show a discounted price where the platform doesn't offer built-in strikethrough formatting.
Will strikethrough text work on every device?
The combining strikethrough character is a well-supported, long-standing part of Unicode, so it renders consistently on essentially all modern phones, browsers, and apps.