Strikethrough Text Generator: Cross Out Text to Copy
Use this strikethrough text generator to cross out words like t̶h̶i̶s̶, even in apps that have no formatting buttons. It also makes underlined, double-underlined, slashed and wavy text. Type below and click Copy next to the style you want.
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Quick answer: Type your text and copy the Strikethrough line. It adds a special “combining” character after every letter that draws a line through it, so it stays crossed out wherever you paste it.
How the strikethrough text generator works
Unicode has invisible combining characters that attach to the letter before them. U+0336 (combining long stroke overlay) draws a line through the middle of a letter, U+0332 draws a line underneath, and U+0338 draws a slash. The generator adds the right mark after every character except spaces. Because these are characters rather than formatting, the effect survives copy and paste into social media, chat apps and plain-text fields.
Strikethrough styles
- Strikethrough: the classic line through the middle, used to show a correction or a joke (“I’m ~fine~”).
- Short strike: a lighter, shorter line.
- Slash through: a diagonal line through each letter.
- Underline and double underline: emphasis where underlining isn’t available.
- Overline: a line above the text, also used in maths and logic.
- Wavy underline: a playful squiggle under the letters.
Built-in strikethrough shortcuts
Many apps have their own strikethrough, which is better when it’s available because it doesn’t change the characters:
| App | How to strike through |
|---|---|
| Wrap text in tildes: ~text~ | |
| Discord | Wrap text in double tildes: ~~text~~ |
| Slack | Wrap text in single tildes: ~text~ |
| Microsoft Word | Home tab, then the abc button (no default shortcut) |
| Google Docs | Alt+Shift+5 (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+X (Mac) |
| Excel and Google Sheets | Ctrl+5 (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+X in Sheets on a Mac |
| Markdown | ~~text~~ in most editors |
Use the Unicode version for Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, X, YouTube comments, usernames and anywhere else that doesn’t support formatting.
Ways people use crossed-out text
- Jokes that “correct” themselves: “I love Mondays ~hate~”.
- Showing a price drop in a post: was $̶4̶9̶ now $29.
- Marking finished items in a plain-text to-do list.
- Edits and corrections in a status update, so readers see what changed.
Accessibility note
Screen readers often skip the combining marks or read them aloud as symbols, so a listener may miss that the text is crossed out. When the strike matters, such as an old price, also say it in words.
For bold, italic and script styles, use the fancy text generator. For tiny letters, try the small text generator.
FAQ
How do I strikethrough text on Instagram?
Instagram has no strikethrough button. Type your text above, copy the strikethrough version and paste it into your caption or bio.
Why does the line look broken between letters?
Each letter gets its own line, and some fonts leave a small gap. It looks continuous in most apps.
Can I strike through numbers and emoji?
Numbers and letters work well. Emoji usually ignore combining marks.
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