How to format text in Slack messages using mrkdwn syntax
Note:Slack uses its own format called "mrkdwn" which is similar to Markdown but has some key differences. Standard Markdown syntax may not work.
Need to convert? Paste standard Markdown (or a ChatGPT/Claude answer) and get Slack-ready mrkdwn instantly.
Try the Markdown to Slack converter →Uses single asterisks
*bold text*
Uses underscores
_italic text_
Uses single tildes
~strikethrough~
Single backticks
`code`
Triple backticks
``` code block ```
Greater than symbol
> quoted text
Triple greater than
>>> all following lines quoted
Use • or - on new lines
• Item one • Item two
Number followed by period
1. First 2. Second
URL|display text in angle brackets
<https://example.com|Link Text>
Mention a user
<@USER_ID>
Link to a channel
<#CHANNEL_ID>
Use emoji shortcodes
:emoji_name:
| Format | Markdown | Slack |
|---|---|---|
| Bold | **bold** | *bold* |
| Italic | *italic* | _italic_ |
| Strikethrough | ~~strike~~ | ~strike~ |
| Link | [text](url) | <url|text> |
Slack does not use standard Markdown. It uses its own format called mrkdwn, which is similar but different: bold uses single asterisks (*bold*), italic uses underscores (_italic_), and strikethrough uses single tildes (~strike~). Headers, images, and tables are not supported.
Wrap the text in single asterisks: *bold text*. Note this is different from standard Markdown, which uses double asterisks.
Slack does not support underlined text. There is no mrkdwn syntax for underline; use bold (*text*) or italic (_text_) for emphasis instead.
Use angle brackets with a pipe: <https://example.com|Link Text>. Standard Markdown links like [text](url) do not render in Slack.
Use triple backticks before and after your text for a multi-line code block, or single backticks for inline code. Slack code blocks do not support language syntax highlighting.