WhatsApp supports rich text formatting in messages and templates — but most businesses send plain, unformatted text that's hard to read on a small screen. This guide covers every supported format, character limits, visual formatting best practices, and the do/don't patterns that separate readable messages from walls of text.
| Format | Syntax | Example input | Renders as | Works in templates? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bold | *text* | *Order confirmed* | Order confirmed | ✅ Yes |
| Italic | _text_ | _processing your request_ | processing your request | ✅ Yes |
| ~text~ | ~₹1,499~ ₹999 | ✅ Yes | ||
Monospace | ```text``` | ```ARN-88291``` | ARN-88291 | ✅ Yes |
| Bulleted list | - item or • item | - PAN Card - Aadhaar | • PAN Card • Aadhaar | ✅ Yes |
| Numbered list | 1. item | 1. Book slot 2. Arrive 10 min early | 1. Book slot 2. Arrive early | ✅ Yes |
| Block quote | > text | > This is a quote | Indented block text | ✅ Yes (v18+) |
| Inline code | `text` | `SAVE50` | SAVE50 | ✅ Yes |
💡 The formatting rule for WhatsApp: use bold on 2–3 key data points per message (order number, amount, date), emojis as visual anchors for each line item, and line breaks to separate information blocks. WhatsApp is read on small screens — visual hierarchy matters more than in email.
| Element | Character limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Template body text | 1,024 characters | Including variables. Target under 300 for best engagement. |
| Template header (text) | 60 characters | Keep to 5–8 words. Used for a bold headline above the body. |
| Template footer | 60 characters | Small grey text below body. Use for disclaimers or "Reply STOP to unsubscribe." |
| Button label | 25 characters | Each button. Meta enforces this strictly — submission fails if exceeded. |
| Template name | 512 characters | Internal use only. Use descriptive snake_case: order_confirm_v2 |
| Variable example value | No official limit | Use realistic example values — full names, real order numbers |
| Free-form message (in service window) | 4,096 characters | Messages sent within 24-hour service window. No template needed. |
WA.Expert's visual template editor shows live preview of formatting, character count, and button layout before you submit.