How to Type Strikethrough: Key Methods at a Glance
To type strikethrough, use a keyboard shortcut, a menu command, or a formatting tool depending on the app and device. In most desktop editors, select text and press Ctrl+Shift+X (Windows) or Command+Shift+X (Mac) or use the Format menu. On mobile, long‑press the text to access formatting options or use Unicode strikethrough characters for platforms that do not support native formatting. Below are the fastest reliable methods for the most common environments.
Quick reference
- Desktop rich text: select text → Ctrl+Shift+X / Command+Shift-X (or Format → Strikethrough)
- Markdown: wrap text with double tildes:
~~text~~ - Unicode fallback: insert U+0336 Combining Long Solidus Overlay or use pre‑composed characters (e.g., ⅅ₌₋ₜₑₓₜ)
- Mobile devices: use native editor buttons or third‑party keyboards that support shortcuts
What Is Strikethrough and When to Use It
Strikethrough is a typographic format that draws a horizontal line through the center of characters. It signals correction, removal, or revision while preserving the original text. In digital communication, strikethrough is common in drafting, task lists, code comments, and moderation. Compared to simple deletion, it retains context and can convey tone more precisely. Understanding platform support and readability tradeoffs helps you choose when strikethrough is the best choice.
How to Type Strikethrough on Desktop
Word processors and rich text editors
In applications such as Microsoft Word, Google Docs, LibreOffice, and many online editors, native strikethrough is accessible via keyboard shortcuts or the formatting UI. Shortcuts map to the OS rather than each app, so they work consistently when the app supports rich text formatting.
| Platform | Keyboard Shortcut | Alternative Access |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | Ctrl+Shift+X | Home → Font → Strikethrough |
| macOS | Command+Shift+X | Format → Font → Strikethrough |
If the shortcut does not apply, use the menu or ribbon: select the text, open the Format or Font menu, and choose Strikethrough. Web platforms may place the option in a floating toolbar when text is selected.
Terminal, code editors, and Markdown
In Markdown and many code‑oriented tools, strikethrough uses syntax rather than a menu. The most common pattern is double tildes before and after the text: ~~text~~. This syntax renders as strikethrough in GitHub, GitLab, Reddit, Discord, and many static site generators. For environments that do not support Markdown, plain‑text conventions such as crossing out with x’s or dashes are sometimes used, though they are informal.
How to Type Strikethrough on Mobile
Native mobile editors
On iOS and Android, word processors and messaging apps often include a strikethrough button in the formatting bar, or it lives under a More Formats or inline menu. Typical steps are:
- Select the desired text.
- Tap Format or More (three dots).
- Choose Strikethrough.
Keyboard layouts vary by app. Some third‑party keyboards expose formatting keys; others require you to return to the text field to apply or remove formatting.
Workarounds for limited support
If an app does not support native strikethrough, you can insert Unicode characters that visually appear crossed out. Because these are regular characters, they are widely portable but may not be editable as formatted text. Common options include:
- ⦿ Strikethrough Latin uppercase A
- ⅅ Strikethrough A
- ₭ Strikethrough K
- ℌ Strikethrough H
- ⅎ Strikethrough R
To use them, type the precomposed character or insert the combining diacritic U+0336 under the base letter in systems that allow combining characters. Note that readability and compatibility vary across fonts and platforms.
Platform and Tool Comparisons
Support and implementation differ across apps and operating systems. Native strikethrough relies on rich‑text capabilities, while Markdown and Unicode offer portable fallbacks. Use native formatting when you need editability and clarity, and use Markdown or Unicode when working in plain‑text or environments where formatting is limited.
| Tool / Platform | Method | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Word (Windows/macOS) | Ctrl+Shift+X / Command+Shift-X | Fully editable native format |
| Google Docs | Ctrl+Shift+X / Command+Shift-X | Works in browser; offline support varies |
| GitHub / GitLab | ~~text~~ | Renders in issues, PRs, and Markdown files |
| Discord | ~~text~~ | Works in server and direct messages |
~~text~~ | Subreddit Markdown support | |
| iOS Notes | Select → Bold/Italic/Strikethrough row | Requires iOS 13+ for native strikethrough |
| Android Notes / Google Keep | Select → Formatting menu | Device and app version dependent |
Practical Best Practices and Common Pitfalls
Prefer native strikethrough in editable documents to preserve semantics and allow future edits. Reserve Unicode crossed‑out characters for plain‑text contexts where formatting cannot be stored. Avoid overusing strikethrough in long passages, as it can reduce readability. In collaborative environments, confirm that all participants and tools interpret the format consistently, especially when converting between Markdown, rich text, and plain text.
Accessibility and Readability Considerations
Strikethrough can pose challenges for screen readers and users with low vision. When meaning depends on the crossed‑out content, supplement strikethrough with explicit text such as [deleted], [obsolete], or [corrected]. Avoid relying solely on visual crossing-out to convey critical information, and test your content with assistive technologies when possible.
Summary and Takeaways
Typing strikethrough is straightforward on most modern platforms when you know the right method. Use native keyboard shortcuts and formatting menus on desktop, Markdown syntax in code‑friendly and markdown‑aware tools, and Unicode workarounds only when native formatting is unavailable. Choose the approach that preserves editability, maximizes readability, and matches the expectations of your audience and platform.