How to Make Small Text in Discord: Use -# Subtext (2026)

To make text small in Discord, type -# at the beginning of a new line, then write your message. The space after # is required.

-# This text will appear small.

Discord calls this formatting subtext. It works in the desktop app, browser, and mobile app without a bot or text generator.

How to Type Small Text in Discord

1. Start a new line in a Discord message.
2. Type a hyphen, a hash, and a space: -# .
3. Type the text you want to appear smaller.
4. Send the message.

The finished message should look like this before you send it:

-# meeting moved to 3:00 PM

The -# must be the first characters on the line. Discord will show the line as normal text if you put other characters or spaces before it.

How to Make Small Text on Discord Mobile

The syntax is the same on iPhone and Android:

1. Open the channel or direct message.
2. Switch to the symbols keyboard if needed.
3. Type -# at the beginning of the message.
4. Add your text and tap Send.

You do not need to find a backtick key or copy special Unicode characters. A standard hyphen and hash are enough.

How to Write More Than One Line of Small Text

Add -# to the beginning of every line that should use subtext:

-# first small line
-# second small line

If the next line has no prefix, Discord renders that line at the regular text size.

Why Discord Small Text Is Not Working

Check these common formatting mistakes:

• Missing space: -#text will not work; use -# text.
• Prefix is not first: remove any spaces or characters before -#.
• Using a code block: text inside backticks is code formatting, not subtext.
• Old app version: update Discord if the syntax is correct but still appears as plain text.

Discord documents the prefix and placement requirements in its official Markdown Text 101 guide.

Subtext vs. Backticks vs. Unicode Small Text

Backticks do not activate Discord's small-text feature. Unicode generators can also produce letters that screen readers, search, or copy-and-paste tools interpret poorly. Use -# when you simply want smaller text.

Other Useful Discord Text Formatting

• Make a single-line block quote with > .
• Make a multi-line block quote with >>> .
• Create a heading with # , ## , or ### .
• Wrap text in ** for bold or * for italics.

See the Discord quote guide for examples of single- and multi-line quotes, or the Discord big-text guide for heading syntax.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Discord small-text command?

Discord does not use a slash command for small text. Put -# at the beginning of a line to format it as subtext.

Does Discord subtext work on mobile?

Yes. Type the same -# prefix in the iOS or Android app. It must appear at the start of the line and include a space after the hash.

Can I make several lines small?

Yes. Begin each line with -# . The formatting applies line by line.

Can I make small text bold or italic?

You can place standard Markdown inside a subtext line, such as -# **important note**. Discord's renderer determines how combined formatting appears, so preview the message before using it for important information.

Do backticks make text small in Discord?

No. Backticks create inline code or code blocks. The official small-text syntax is -# subtext.