3 min read
By Mike
Discord Small Text Generator: Subtext, Superscript, Small Caps
Discord has two ways to get small text. The first is built in: start a line with -# and Discord draws it smaller. The second is Unicode look-alike letters, such as superscript and small caps, which work in nicknames and places markdown does not. This tool makes all three versions at once.
Subtext (-#) is real Discord markdown and must start a line. Superscript and small caps are Unicode look-alikes and work anywhere, but some letters have no small version.
How to use it
- Type your text in the box above.
- Pick the style you need. The result updates as you type.
- Press Copy and paste it into Discord.
Which style should you use?
| Style | Example | Works in |
|---|---|---|
| Subtext | -# footnote | Messages, at the start of a line |
| Superscript | ˢᵘᵖᵉʳˢᶜʳⁱᵖᵗ | Messages, nicknames, statuses |
| Small caps | ꜱᴍᴀʟʟ ᴄᴀᴘꜱ | Messages, nicknames, statuses |
Subtext: the real thing
Discord's markdown supports -# at the beginning of a line. The text after it is drawn smaller and in a muted colour. It is a proper font size, so it keeps every letter, accents and every language. Rules to know: the -# must be the first thing on the line, it needs a space after it, and it only works in places that render markdown. It does not work inside a nickname or a channel name.
If you only want to tuck a note under a message, subtext is almost always the right choice. See the markdown previewer to see how a whole message will look.
Superscript and small caps: look-alike letters
These are not a font. They are separate Unicode characters that happen to look like tiny letters. Because they are real characters, you can paste them anywhere text is allowed, including display names and server nicknames.
- Small caps covers the whole alphabet, but Q uses a look-alike character.
- Superscript has no widely supported character for a lowercase q. Capital letters fall back where no small capital exists.
- Screen readers may read each letter as an odd symbol, so avoid long messages written this way.
- Search will not find these words. A message full of look-alike letters is not matched by a normal search for the plain word.
- Some fonts draw them unevenly, especially on older devices.
Honest limits
Text that passes through a nickname is still limited to 32 characters. Keywords in a bot's auto-responder or filter rules may not match look-alike text, which is a good reason to keep important words in plain letters. If you build rules for your server, the link filter docs and anti-spam docs describe what Noxyr matches.
Tips for readable small text
Keep small text short: a credit line, a note under an announcement or a tag in a nickname. Large blocks of tiny text are hard to read on a phone. Never rely on it for rules or warnings that members must see.
More formatting tools
For bigger changes try the font generator or the ANSI colour text generator. To hide text instead of shrinking it, use the spoiler text generator. If a character in your message is breaking the format, the markdown escaper can fix it.
Common questions
How do I make small text in Discord?
Start a line with -# and a space, then your text. Discord shows it smaller. For nicknames or statuses use Unicode superscript or small caps from this tool.
Why does -# not work for me?
It must be at the very start of a line and followed by a space. It also does not work in nicknames, channel names or places that do not render markdown.
Is superscript text a real font?
No. It is a set of Unicode characters that resemble small letters, so it can be pasted anywhere but may not be searchable.
Can I use small caps in a nickname?
Yes, as long as the total stays inside the nickname length limit and the server does not block unusual characters.
