Discord text formatting: Markdown and fancy fonts

Discord gives you two separate ways to change how text looks. The first is Markdown, a set of symbols you type around words to format them in messages. The second is copy-and-paste fonts, special Unicode characters that look like a different typeface and work in places where Markdown doesn’t, such as your display name. Knowing when to use which saves a lot of trial and error.

Markdown basics

Markdown works in messages, replies, threads and most bot embeds. Type the symbols around your text and Discord formats it when you send:

You type	You get
**bold**	bold
*italic* or _italic_	italic
***bold italic***	bold italic
__underline__	underlined text
~~strikethrough~~	strikethrough
`inline code`	inline code
||spoiler||	hidden until clicked

You can combine them, for example __**bold underline**__.

Headers, subtext, quotes and lists

Discord also supports block-level Markdown at the start of a line:

• # Big header, ## Medium header and ### Small header create headings.
• -# small text creates faint subtext, handy for footnotes or disclaimers.
• > quote quotes a single line; >>> quotes everything after it in the message.
• - item or 1. item creates bulleted or numbered lists.

Headers are great for announcements and rules channels. Use them sparingly in casual chat, where a giant heading can feel like shouting.

Code blocks

Wrap text in three backticks to make a code block, which keeps spacing exactly as typed. Add a language name after the opening backticks for syntax highlighting:

```js
console.log('hello');
```

Code blocks are also useful for ASCII art and tables, because they use a monospaced font where every character has the same width.

Escaping Markdown

If you want to show the symbols themselves, for example to explain formatting to someone, put a backslash before them: \*not italic\*. Discord then shows the asterisks instead of formatting the text.

Where Markdown does not work

Markdown is a message feature. It does nothing in:

• your display name and server nicknames,
• role names,
• channel names (which also have their own character rules),
• your About Me in some clients, depending on version.

This is where copy-and-paste fonts come in. Because they are characters rather than formatting, they show up wherever Discord displays text.

Fancy fonts for names and roles

To style your display name or a server nickname:

1. Open the Discord name fonts page and type your name.
2. Pick a compact, readable style: Bold Sans, Small Caps and Typewriter Mono work well in the member list.
3. Tap Copy.
4. In Discord, go to User Settings → Profiles and paste into Display Name, or open a server’s profile settings and paste into Nickname.

Your username is different: it only allows lowercase letters, numbers, periods and underscores, so styled characters are rejected there. Display names allow 1 to 32 characters according to Discord’s help center, and frames or symbols count toward that limit.

Admins can style role names the same way so they stand out in the member list. One caution: bots that look roles up by name may not recognize styled characters. If a bot manages a role, keep that role’s name in plain text.

Markdown or fancy font in messages?

In messages you can use either, and they behave differently:

	Markdown bold	Unicode bold (𝗯𝗼𝗹𝗱)
Works in messages	Yes	Yes
Works in names and roles	No	Yes
Searchable in Discord	Yes	Usually not as normal words
Screen reader friendly	Yes	Often read letter by letter
Copies to other apps	Loses formatting	Keeps its look

For everyday emphasis in messages, Markdown is the better choice: it’s searchable, accessible and looks consistent. Use Unicode styles when you need the look somewhere Markdown can’t reach, or when you want text that keeps its style after being pasted into another app. The Discord font generator shows which styles render well on desktop and mobile.

Formatting tips for servers

• Rules channels: a # header for the title, numbered lists for the rules, -# subtext for notes.
• Announcements: a header, one bold line with the key information, and a link. Avoid walls of bold.
• Role names: one consistent style per tier, for example small caps for staff.
• Event names: a frame like ★ … ★ around a short title works well in channel topics and embeds.

Common mistakes

• Forgetting to close a symbol. **bold with no closing asterisks shows the asterisks as typed.
• Spaces inside markers. ** bold ** may not format; keep the symbols right next to the text.
• Formatting in names. Typing **Name** in your display name just shows the asterisks; paste a styled name instead.

Accessibility

Discord’s Markdown is announced properly by screen readers. Unicode styles may not be: some readers spell styled letters out or name each symbol. If your community includes people who use assistive technology, keep important instructions in plain text or Markdown and save fancy fonts for names and decoration.

Quick summary

• Use Markdown (**, *, __, ~~, #, -#, >, ||) for formatting inside messages.
• Use copy-and-paste fonts for display names, nicknames and roles, where Markdown doesn’t work.
• Keep usernames plain; they don’t accept styled characters.
• Prefer readable styles and keep important information in normal text.

Want bold text that works everywhere, not just on Discord? Try the bold font generator, or browse every style in the text font generator.