Free-to-use tool
WhatsApp character counter and text formatter
Write or paste the message, see the count of characters, words and lines and apply bold, italic, strikethrough and monospace with one click. Runs in your browser: the text is not sent.
Select a passage and click the format. The tool wraps it in symbols: *bold*, _italic_, ~strikethrough~ and ```monospace```.
How it looks on WhatsApp
How to use it
- 1
Write or paste the message in the box. The count appears right away.
- 2
If you have a limit from your system or a channel, type it in the limit field to see how much is left.
- 3
Select a passage and click bold, italic, strikethrough or monospace to apply the formatting.
- 4
Copy the finished text and use it in the chat or in the API's text field.
Text formatting on WhatsApp
WhatsApp applies formatting from symbols around the passage: asterisks for bold, underscore (_) for italic, tilde for strikethrough and three backticks for monospace. This page's preview shows the approximate look.
When you send through the API, those same symbols go inside the text field of send text, and WhatsApp does the formatting on the recipient's device. Each symbol counts as a character.
About limits: we do not cite a fixed character limit because we could not confirm it in an official source on the date checked (10/27/2026). If your channel or system has a limit, enter it in the field above. Formatting per the WhatsApp Help Center.
Frequently asked questions
What is the character limit of a WhatsApp message?
We do not state a fixed number because we could not confirm it in an official source. Check the documentation of the channel you use and enter the limit in the tool's field to track it.
How do I make text bold on WhatsApp?
Put asterisks around the passage: *like this*. Italic uses underscores (_like this_), strikethrough uses tildes (~like this~) and monospace uses three backticks.
Does formatting work in the API?
Yes: send the symbols inside the text field and WhatsApp formats it on the recipient's screen.
Is the text I write sent to a server?
No. Counting and formatting happen in your browser.
Do emoji count as one character?
It depends on what is counted. The tool counts browser text units, and some emoji take more than one. For hard limits, leave a margin.
See also
From the tool to real sending
This tool is free and runs in your browser. To send and receive real messages through the API, the plan is R$15 per active number per month, prepaid with no lock-in. See how it fits your type of business and the tools you already use.
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Send from your system with ZapZap's API, with automatic delay and typing. R$15 per active number per month, no per-message fee.