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10 Tech How-To

How to Change Typing on Telegram: Font & Style

Guide 10-16457 · Updated · Step by step

This guide shows you how to change the way text appears when you type in Telegram, including adjusting font size, toggling bold, italic, and monospace styles, and switching between the classic and larger text modes. You’ll also learn how to format individual messages with Markdown or HTML, so your messages stand out exactly how you want. No special tools are needed—just the Telegram app on your phone or desktop.

What You’ll Need

  • The Telegram app installed on your device (iOS, Android, or desktop).
  • An active Telegram account.
  • For formatting messages: a basic understanding of Markdown or HTML (explained below).

Step-by-Step

Adjusting Font Size (Mobile and Desktop)

  1. Open Telegram and go to Settings. On mobile, tap the three-line menu (hamburger icon) in the top-left corner and select Settings. On desktop, click the three-line menu at the top-left and choose Settings.
  2. In Settings, scroll down to Chat Settings (on mobile) or Chat (on desktop).
  3. Look for Font Size or Text Size. It’s usually a slider or a set of options (e.g., Small, Medium, Large).
  4. Drag the slider or tap the desired size. The preview at the top of the settings screen updates immediately, so you can see the change before you exit.
  5. Once you’re satisfied, tap the back arrow or close the settings window. The new font size applies to all chats.

Using Bold, Italic, Underline, and Strikethrough

  1. Open any chat and tap the text input field to bring up the keyboard.
  2. Type the text you want to format.
  3. Select the text by long-pressing (mobile) or double-clicking (desktop) and dragging the selection handles.
  4. On mobile, a formatting toolbar appears above the selection. Tap B for bold, I for italic, U for underline, or S for strikethrough. On desktop, use the keyboard shortcuts: Ctrl+B (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+B (Mac) for bold, Ctrl+I/Cmd+I for italic, Ctrl+U/Cmd+U for underline, and Ctrl+Shift+X/Cmd+Shift+X for strikethrough.
  5. Deselect the text by tapping elsewhere or pressing the arrow key. The formatting is applied immediately.

Using Monospace (Code) Formatting

  1. To type in monospace (fixed-width) font, which is useful for code or technical text, you can wrap your text in backticks (`). For example: `print('Hello')` will display as print('Hello').
  2. On mobile, you can also select text and tap the </> icon in the formatting toolbar to apply monospace.
  3. On desktop, select the text and press Ctrl+Shift+M (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Shift+M (Mac).

Changing the Default Text Style (iOS Only)

  1. On iOS, Telegram follows the system font by default, but you can change it to a custom font if you have one installed.
  2. Go to Settings > Chat Settings > Font.
  3. Choose from the available fonts (e.g., San Francisco, Courier, or any custom font you’ve installed via a profile).
  4. The change applies immediately to all chats.

Formatting Messages with Markdown or HTML

  1. Telegram supports Markdown and HTML for manual formatting. To use Markdown, simply type the syntax before and after the text: *bold*, _italic_, `monospace`, and ~~strikethrough~~.
  2. For HTML, use tags: <b>bold</b>, <i>italic</i>, <code>monospace</code>, <s>strikethrough</s>, and <u>underline</u>.
  3. When you send the message, Telegram converts the syntax into formatted text. The recipient sees the formatted version, not the raw code.
  4. Note: Markdown is the default on mobile, while HTML is often used in bots and desktop clients. You can switch between the two in Settings > Chat Settings > Markdown/HTML (if available).

Common Mistakes

  • Forgetting to select text before formatting: On mobile, if you don’t select text, the formatting toggle (like bold) will only apply to the next word you type, not the entire message. Always select the exact text you want to change.
  • Using Markdown symbols in the wrong order: For strikethrough, you must use two tildes (~) on both sides, not one. For monospace, use backticks (`), not apostrophes.
  • Assuming font size affects only your view: Changing the font size in settings only changes how the text appears on your device. Other users see the default size unless they change it themselves.
  • Mixing HTML and Markdown: If you enable HTML, Markdown symbols won’t work, and vice versa. Stick to one system.

Tips

  • Use keyboard shortcuts on desktop: They save a lot of time. Memorize Ctrl/Cmd+B for bold, Ctrl/Cmd+I for italic, and Ctrl/Cmd+Shift+M for monospace.
  • Preview before sending: On mobile, you can tap the message preview (the little arrow) to see how the formatted message will look before you hit send.
  • Combine formats: You can apply multiple formats to the same text, such as bold and italic, by selecting the text and tapping both options.
  • Custom fonts on Android: Some Android launchers allow you to change the system font, which will also affect Telegram. This is not a Telegram setting, but it’s a workaround if you want a different look.

Troubleshooting

  • Font size changes not applying: If the slider doesn’t seem to work, make sure you’re not in a chat that has a custom font size set (some chats allow you to override the global setting). Check the chat’s settings (tap the chat name, then Font Size) and set it to Default.
  • Formatting not showing in sent message: If you type *bold* and it sends as plain text with asterisks, you likely have HTML mode enabled. Switch to Markdown in Settings, or use the HTML tags instead.
  • Monospace not working on mobile: Some keyboards may auto-correct backticks to apostrophes. Disable auto-correct for punctuation or use the formatting toolbar instead.
  • Can’t find the formatting toolbar: On mobile, the toolbar appears only after you select text. If it doesn’t show up, try long-pressing the text and dragging the selection handles. On desktop, the toolbar appears above the text box when you select text.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the font family in Telegram?

On iOS, you can change the font family in Settings > Chat Settings > Font. On Android and desktop, you cannot change the font family directly; you can only adjust the size. However, you can use monospace formatting for a different look.

Does changing font size affect how others see my messages?

No. Font size is a local setting. Each user sees messages in their own chosen font size. The formatting (bold, italic, etc.) is visible to everyone, but the size is personal.

Why do my Markdown symbols show up as plain text?

This happens when you have HTML mode enabled. Go to Settings > Chat Settings > and switch from HTML to Markdown. Alternatively, use the HTML tags instead.

Can I format messages in secret chats?

Yes, secret chats support the same formatting options as regular chats.

Is there a way to set a default formatting for all my messages?

No, Telegram doesn’t allow you to set a default style (like always bold). You have to apply formatting per message. However, you can copy formatted text and paste it into a new message to retain the formatting.

How do I remove formatting from a message?

Select the formatted text and tap the formatting option again to toggle it off. For Markdown, remove the symbols manually.

Related

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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