Discord colors text inside ```ansi code blocks. Colors show on desktop and in the browser; the mobile apps show the text in plain gray.
Discord supports ANSI escape codes in code blocks marked as ansi. Each styled line starts with a hidden escape character (shown here as ␛) followed by codes like [1;31m for bold red, and ends with [0m to reset. Copy the whole block, including the backticks, and paste it as a message.
About Discord Colored Text
Discord messages have no color picker, but code blocks marked as ansi understand ANSI escape codes, the same color codes terminals use. The Colored Text builder writes those codes for you: pick colors for each part of your message, and copy a ready-to-paste block that shows up in color.
It is a quick way to highlight warnings in red, success messages in green, or add a little style to role menus and rules.
How to use it
1
Write your message
Type your text. Each line gets its own style: tap a line, then choose a text color, a background color, bold or underline. Apply to all lines copies one line's style to the rest.
2
Check the preview
The preview uses the same colors Discord shows on desktop, so you can see the result before you copy it.
3
Copy and paste
Copy the result. It starts with ```ansi and ends with ```, which tells Discord to read the color codes. Paste it as one message.
The colors you can use
Discord supports eight text colors: gray, red, green, yellow, blue, pink, cyan and white, and eight background colors from dark blue to light gray. Bold and underline can be combined with any color. Discord uses its own palette for these codes, which is why the shades look a little different from colors in other apps.
Where colored text shows
Discord's desktop app and the browser version show the colors. Discord's mobile apps have shown ANSI code blocks without colors, so phone users see plain text in a code block. Use color for emphasis rather than meaning: a red warning should still say Warning.
How the codes work
Each colored span begins with an escape character and a code, such as [31m for red text or [44m for a background, and [0m resets the style. The escape character is invisible, which is why typing the codes by hand rarely works. The builder includes it for you, and the output box shows each escape character as a visible symbol so you can see what was added.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my colored text show the codes instead of colors?
The block must start with ```ansi on its own line. If the word ansi is missing, or the invisible escape characters were lost while copying, Discord shows the raw codes. Copy the result again with the Copy button.
Can I color text in my nickname or bio?
No. Only messages support ANSI code blocks. For names and bios, try Fancy Fonts instead.
Can I mix colors in one message?
Yes. Put each color on its own line and style the lines separately. They all stay in the same code block.
Does it work in DMs and threads?
Yes. Anywhere you can send a message with a code block, the colors appear on desktop and the web.