A strikethrough text example is ordinary text combined with Unicode overlay marks so a line appears through the characters when the text is displayed.
For example, plain abc can become a̶b̶c̶. The letters remain readable, while an invisible mark after each letter asks the device to draw a line across it. The result is still text made from Unicode characters, making it useful where ordinary rich-text formatting is unavailable.
The Strikethrough Text generator turns plain text into crossed-out Unicode that you can copy into a chat, bio, post, or document without relying on a formatting button.
Strikethrough Text Examples by Style
The generator supports five visual treatments. Each one uses a different Unicode combining character, so the line changes shape while the underlying words remain the same.
| Style | Unicode mark | Example result | Appearance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic strikethrough | U+0336 | a̶b̶c̶ | A long line through the middle |
| Short strike | U+0335 | a̵b̵c̵ | A tighter overlay stroke |
| Slash strike | U+0338 | a̸b̸c̸ | A diagonal solidus through each character |
| Underline | U+0332 | a̲b̲c̲ | A line beneath the characters |
| Tilde strike | U+0334 | a̴b̴c̴ | A wavy line over the characters |
These are visual alternatives rather than separate font settings. The classic example uses the combining long stroke overlay, while the other choices use a different overlay code point. Since the result contains text plus Unicode marks, it can be copied into a plain-text field rather than depending on rich-text styling.
What Makes the Example Work
The tool appends an invisible combining mark after each visible character. The device recognizes that mark as an instruction to place a graphic over the preceding letter or symbol. In the classic example, each character receives U+0336, the combining long stroke overlay.
This approach is different from selecting a built-in bold, italic, underline, or strikethrough button. Native formatting can be removed when content is copied into a field that accepts only plain text. Unicode combining marks are part of the character sequence itself, so they remain attached to the copied text.
The output is not a special font and it is not real document formatting. It is ordinary text made from Unicode code points whose appearance depends on the font and platform. That distinction explains both its usefulness in plain-text applications and its potential compatibility limitations.
Create a Copyable Strikethrough Example
- Enter your text. Open Strikethrough Text and type or paste the words, phrase, or example you want to transform into the input box.
- Select an overlay. Choose strikethrough, short strike, slash, underline, or tilde. The generated result updates live as you work, allowing you to compare the available line styles.
- Copy and paste. Click Copy, then paste the crossed-out text into the intended chat, bio, post, or document.
The transformation happens locally in your browser. Your text is processed character by character on your own device, with no upload, no account, and no network round-trip. The copied output is ready to paste without a separate formatting command.
Paste It into Plain-Text Apps
The main advantage of Unicode strikethrough is that it can travel into applications that do not provide a rich-text strikethrough command. The verified use cases include social profiles, captions, comments, usernames, and form fields where formatting buttons may be missing.
- A Twitter/X bio
- An Instagram caption
- A Discord username
- A Reddit comment
- A plain-text form field
After copying the generated text, paste it directly into the destination. The visible words will be accompanied by their combining marks, allowing a compatible device to draw the selected line across them. The result remains text, so it does not require the destination to understand a proprietary formatting style.
Choose an Overlay for the Look
All five styles use the same mechanism: one combining mark is placed after each visible character. The selected overlay determines the shape of the line, not the meaning of the words. Choose the classic option for the conventional middle strike, the short strike for a tighter mark, or the slash, underline, and tilde options when you want a distinctly different appearance.
Because the styles are visual, select one according to the intended look rather than expecting it to communicate a status automatically. The crossed-out result is best treated as decorative emphasis unless the surrounding message states the meaning clearly.
Test the Result in the Destination
Most modern browsers, phones, and chat applications stack the combining overlay cleanly. However, rendering depends on the font and platform. An older system or unusual font may place the mark slightly off-center or display it as a separate box instead of drawing it across the character.
Some platforms with aggressive text filters may also reject unusual character sequences. A clean display in the generator therefore does not guarantee identical behavior after the text is pasted elsewhere. Paste a short sample into the intended destination first, especially before using the style in a long bio, caption, comment, or form entry.
If the sample appears incorrectly or is removed, do not rely on that destination to carry essential meaning. Check how the platform handles the Unicode sequence and state any important information in ordinary words as well.
Keep the Meaning Clear for Everyone
Screen readers ignore combining overlays and read only the underlying letters. Someone using assistive technology may hear “abc” without any indication that it appears as a̶b̶c̶. The visual effect therefore adds no audible signal that the text is crossed out.
Never rely on strikethrough alone to show that something is cancelled, incorrect, or a discount price. Pair the visual effect with explicit wording such as “Cancelled” or “Sale price” whenever the meaning affects someone’s understanding or decision. For decorative text, the overlay works as visual flair, but accessibility still depends on the underlying words being clear.
The simplest reusable pattern is a base character followed by U+0336: abc becomes a̶b̶c̶. Use the generator to apply that pattern to a longer phrase, compare the available overlays, and copy the completed Unicode text into your destination.