The Complete Guide to Strikethrough & Crossed Out Text
Strikethrough text (also called crossed-out, strike font, or line-through text) is one of the most effective typographic tools in digital communication. Whether used for humor, self-correction, e-commerce discount promotions (e.g., $99 $49), or satisfying to-do list progress, crossed-out text instantly commands visual attention.
However, while word processors like Google Docs or Microsoft Word have dedicated strikethrough toolbar buttons, social media apps like Instagram, TikTok, Twitter/X, and Facebook offer no built-in formatting tools. That is where this free Strikethrough Text Generator comes in.
⚡ How Unicode Crossed Out Text Works Without HTML
Standard website strikethrough uses the HTML <del> or CSS text-decoration: line-through property. Social platforms strip HTML tags immediately to prevent code injection. This tool uses Unicode Combining Characters (such as U+0336 Combining Long Stroke Overlay). These special characters overlay a continuous horizontal line across whatever letter precedes them, allowing the crossed-out text to be copied, saved, and displayed anywhere across the web as raw text.
Strikethrough Formatting Across Major Platforms
| Platform | Native Shortcut / Method | Supports Unicode Copy & Paste? | Best Solution |
|---|---|---|---|
| None (no markdown supported) | ✅ Yes, 100% supported | Use our Unicode generator | |
| TikTok | None (no markdown supported) | ✅ Yes, 100% supported | Use our Unicode generator |
| Discord | Type ~~text~~ |
✅ Yes, supported | Markdown ~~text~~ or Unicode |
Type ~text~ |
✅ Yes, supported | Tilde shortcut or Unicode | |
| X (Twitter) | None (unless using premium editor) | ✅ Yes, 100% supported | Use our Unicode generator |
Type ~~text~~ |
✅ Yes, supported | Markdown ~~text~~ |
|
| YouTube Comments | Type -text- |
✅ Yes, supported | Dash shortcut or Unicode |
| None (no markdown supported) | ✅ Yes, supported | Use our LinkedIn Formatter or Unicode |
Popular Use Cases for Crossed Out Text
- E-Commerce Sales & Price Cuts: Highlight massive discounts by crossing out the original manufacturer price (e.g., Was
$149, Now $79!). - Satire, Irony & Humor: Reveal hidden thoughts or self-correct in social media captions (e.g., "I definitely loved waking up at 5 AM today
I want to cry"). - Digital To-Do Lists & Goals: Cross out accomplished fitness milestones, completed work tickets, or grocery list items in plain text note apps.
- Aesthetic Usernames & Bios: Add an edgy or vintage aesthetic to gaming usernames (PUBG, Free Fire, Roblox, Steam) and Discord nicknames.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will crossed-out text look the same on iPhones and Android phones?
Yes. Unicode U+0336 is part of the universal standard supported by iOS, iPadOS, Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux. It renders reliably across all modern devices and web browsers.
Does strikethrough text affect screen readers for accessibility?
While visual users see a crossed line, screen readers (like VoiceOver or NVDA) will announce the underlying letters. For crucial accessible documents, native HTML <del> tags are recommended so screen readers can explicitly state that content was deleted.