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What is a Strikethrough Text Generator?

A Strikethrough Text Generator is a free online tool that adds a horizontal line through the middle of your text, like t̶h̶i̶s̶. It accomplishes this effect not by applying a font style (which most websites don't support), but by inserting a special "combining" Unicode character after each letter you type. The result is a string of text that you can copy and paste anywhere that supports Unicode characters, including social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, chat applications like Discord, and online forums.

What Problem Does This Tool Solve?

Often, you want to show that something has been "crossed out" or is no longer relevant, but you still want the original text to be visible. This is common when showing edits, making a sarcastic joke, or indicating a change of thought. However, most plain text fields online—like comment sections, bios, and chat windows—do not have a formatting button for strikethrough. You can't just highlight text and click a "strikethrough" button like you can in Microsoft Word or Google Docs.

Our Strikethrough Text Generator solves this universal formatting problem. It provides a simple, one-click way to achieve the crossed-out effect on any platform. It saves you from having to use awkward workarounds like putting text in parentheses with a note, allowing you to convey your message visually and instantly.

How to Use Our Strikethrough Text Generator?

Creating strikethrough text is incredibly straightforward:

  1. Enter Your Text: Type or paste the words you want to cross out into the "Input Text" box.
  2. See the Instant Result: The tool will automatically apply the strikethrough effect to your text in the "Output" box below. There's no need to click a button.
  3. Copy Your Text: Click the "Copy" button to grab your newly formatted text.
  4. Paste Anywhere: Paste the strikethrough text into your desired social media post, comment, chat message, or document.

Benefits of Using Our Strikethrough Text Generator

  • Universal Compatibility: Because it uses Unicode characters, the strikethrough effect works on the vast majority of websites, apps, and devices.
  • Clear Communication: Perfectly convey corrections, sarcasm, or completed tasks in a visually intuitive way.
    • - Instant and Easy: The simple interface allows you to generate crossed-out text in seconds without any technical knowledge.
  • Completely Free: The tool is 100% free to use with no limits, watermarks, or sign-ups required.
  • Private and Secure: All text conversion is done in your browser. Your input is never sent to our servers or stored anywhere.

In-Depth Use Cases

For Making Sarcastic Jokes

On Twitter, a user wants to make a funny, self-deprecating comment. They write, "My To-Do List for today: 1. Be productive 2. Conquer the world. What I actually did: 1. N̶a̶p̶ ̶f̶o̶r̶ ̶3̶ ̶h̶o̶u̶r̶s̶ Research complex napping strategies." The strikethrough adds a layer of humor and relatability.

For Showing Edits and Revisions

In a group chat or a forum comment, a user wants to correct a mistake in their previous statement without deleting it entirely. They can edit their post to say, "The meeting is on T̶u̶e̶s̶d̶a̶y̶ Wednesday at 2 PM." This clearly communicates the correction while preserving the original context.

For Digital To-Do Lists

Someone is keeping a simple to-do list in a plain text file or a messaging app. As they complete each task, they can use the generator to cross it out, giving them the satisfaction of completing the item while keeping a record of what's been done. For example: - T̶a̶k̶e̶ ̶o̶u̶t̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶t̶r̶a̶s̶h̶ - Finish report - Call mom.

Key Features Explained

  • Unicode Character: The tool works by inserting a special Unicode character called the "Combining Long Stroke Overlay" (`U+0336`) after every character in your input string.
  • Combining Diacritic: This character is a "combining diacritic," which means it doesn't take up its own space but instead renders on top of the character that comes immediately before it. This is what creates the seamless line-through effect.
  • Real-Time Generation: The JavaScript on the page listens for any changes in the input box and immediately applies the transformation, providing you with instant feedback.
  • Simple Copy-Paste Functionality: A dedicated "Copy" button ensures you can easily grab the entire, correctly formatted string without struggling to select the complex combination of characters manually.

Best Practices & Pro-Tips

  • Readability is Key: Strikethrough text can be slightly harder to read than normal text. It's most effective for short phrases or single-word corrections. Avoid using it for long paragraphs.
  • Check Platform Rendering: While Unicode is a standard, some very old or non-standard fonts might render the combining character slightly above or below the center of the text. It's always a good idea to test it where you plan to use it.
    • - Combine with Other Styles: You can create interesting effects by running already stylized text (like 𝕓𝕠𝕝𝕕 𝕥𝕖𝕩𝕥) through the strikethrough generator to get a unique, combined look.
  • Use for Intentional Meaning: Strikethrough implies that something is wrong, obsolete, or a joke. Use it intentionally to add that layer of meaning to your text.

Technical Deep Dive: How Combining Characters Create Strikethrough

The strikethrough effect is a clever application of the Unicode standard. Unlike simply changing a font's style, which isn't possible in most online text fields, this method constructs the effect using special characters.

The key is the "Combining Long Stroke Overlay" character, represented in Unicode as `U+0336`. This character belongs to a special class called "combining diacritical marks."

Here's the logic:

  1. The tool takes your input string, for example, "EDIT".
  2. It then splits the string into an array of individual characters: `['E', 'D', 'I', 'T']`.
  3. It uses a `join()` method to reassemble the array, but instead of joining with an empty string, it joins with the strikethrough character `\u0336`.
  4. The result is a new string: `E` + `\u0336` + `D` + `\u0336` + `I` + `\u0336` + `T` + `\u0336`.

When a browser or application renders this new string, it follows the Unicode rules. It draws the 'E', then it sees the combining character and draws the long stroke overlay on top of the 'E'. Then it moves to the 'D', draws it, and draws the stroke on top of the 'D', and so on. This creates a visually continuous line through the entire word, resulting in E̶D̶I̶T̶. It's a simple yet brilliant way to add formatting to plain-text environments.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is this a font?
No, this is not a font. It is a sequence of standard text characters interspersed with a special Unicode combining character. This is why it can be copied and pasted across different platforms.
2. Why not just use the `` HTML tag?
The `` tag only works in environments where you can write HTML, like on your own website. On most social media platforms, comment sections, and chat apps, you cannot use HTML tags. Our tool generates plain text that works in those places.
3. Will the strikethrough text work everywhere?
It will work on the vast majority of modern platforms and devices that have proper Unicode support, which includes all major operating systems and web browsers. On very old or non-compliant systems, you might see the characters with a box or a question mark instead of a line.
4. Can I use this for my password?
You should not. It would be extremely difficult to type this combination of characters accurately, and most password fields will not accept the combining character as valid.
5. How do I remove the strikethrough?
You can paste the strikethrough text into a simple text editor and use a "Find and Replace" function to replace the combining character (`\u0336`) with nothing. Alternatively, you can just re-type the text.