Strikethrough Text Example
Here’s how simple it is:
- You type:
This was the old plan - You get:
T̶h̶i̶s̶ ̶w̶a̶s̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶o̶l̶d̶ ̶p̶l̶a̶n̶
How to Use the Strikethrough Text Generator
Here is how you can use it in three simple steps:
- Type or Paste: Enter your standard text into the top input box.
- Instant Preview: Watch your words get crossed out automatically in the bottom box as you type.
- Copy or Download: Click the Copy Text button to save it straight to your clipboard, or hit Download Text to save it as a text file.
Once copied, you can paste your text anywhere that supports Unicode characters, including social media apps, bios, emails, and chat windows.
Creative Ways to Use Crossed-Out Text
Adding a line through your text does more than just fix a mistake. It changes how people read your words. Here are some of the best ways content creators, professionals, and students use this effect:
1. Upgrade Your Social Media Posts
Platforms like Instagram, X (Twitter), and TikTok do not give you text formatting choices. Using this tool lets you stand out in a crowded feed. You can use it to create funny captions, show a “before and after” thought, or draw attention to a special discount code.
2. Track Your Digital To-Do Lists
If you manage your daily tasks in plain text notes, Notion, or Trello, crossing off completed items feels incredibly satisfying. You can quickly generate crossed-out headers or completed tasks to keep your project workspace visually organized.
3. Sarcasm and Humor
A line through a word is a popular internet way to show what you are actually thinking versus what you are supposed to say. For example: “I had a very healthy ~~three donuts~~ salad for breakfast.”
4. Editing and Proofreading
When you want to suggest updates to a document without deleting the original phrasing entirely, strikethrough text is the perfect tool. It lets your readers see exactly what changed between the old version and the new version.
Strikethrough Formatting Quick Reference
Different apps use different shortcuts to cross out text natively. If you are not using our generator, here is how you can apply the effect manually on popular platforms:
| Platform / App | Manual Method or Shortcut | Works Everywhere? |
| This Online Tool | Just copy and paste the text | Yes (Universal Compatibility) |
Place tildes around the text: ~your text~ | Only inside WhatsApp chats | |
| Discord | Place double tildes around text: ~~your text~~ | Only inside Discord |
| Slack | Highlight text and press Ctrl + Shift + X | Only inside Slack channels |
| Google Docs | Highlight text and press Alt + Shift + 5 | Only inside the document |
| Microsoft Word | Click the ab icon on the Home tab ribbon | Only inside the document |
How Does This Generator Work?
Standard text editors use code like HTML tags (<s> or <del>) to make a line appear through your words. However, if you copy HTML text and paste it onto Twitter or Facebook, the code breaks, and the line disappears.
Our tool works differently. It uses Unicode characters. Instead of applying a visual style, it attaches a special invisible instruction called a “combining long stroke overlay” to every single letter you type. Because this overlay is built into the characters themselves, the crossed-out look stays intact wherever you paste it online.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a strikethrough text generator?
It is a free online tool that converts regular text into a style that looks crossed out with a horizontal line. It uses special Unicode symbols so that the text retains its formatting when you copy and paste it into other apps, websites, and documents.
Will the crossed-out text work on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok?
Yes. Because the tool outputs standard Unicode text rather than website code, the strikethrough effect will look correct in your social media bios, comments, posts, and direct messages across almost all major apps.
Why do some letters look weird or misaligned after I paste them?
A small number of older smartphones, legacy web browsers, or custom system fonts do not fully support Unicode overlay characters. If a user is viewing your text on a very old device, the lines might look slightly off-center or show up as small boxes.
Does using this tool change the actual font size of my text?
No. The tool only adds the horizontal line overlay to your existing characters. It does not alter the underlying font family, weight, or size of your text. The final appearance depends entirely on the font used by the app where you paste it.
Can I use this generated text inside Microsoft Word or Google Docs?
Yes, you can paste it there. However, for large professional documents, it is usually better to use the software’s built-in strikethrough button. Native document styles are easier for screen readers to interpret correctly than Unicode symbols.
What is the difference between this tool and HTML strikethrough tags?
HTML tags like <s> or <del> tell a web browser to draw a line over a word, but the formatting breaks if you paste it into a simple text box. This tool builds the line directly into the text characters, making it portable across the internet.