| Type | Syntax | Rendered |
|---|---|---|
Single line | > text | text |
Multi-line | >>> text | everything after is quoted |
Blockquotes add a vertical colored bar on the left side. They are visual formatting, not quotation marks.
Blockquotes on Discord are not the same as typing quotation marks. A blockquote adds a vertical colored bar on the left side of the text, making it visually distinct from the rest of the message. People use them to reply to specific points, highlight a rule, or separate quoted content from their own writing.
This guide covers how to quote on Discord using single and multi-line blockquotes on desktop and mobile. For a complete reference of every formatting option, check out The Ultimate Discord Text Formatting Guide.
What Is the Difference Between Blockquotes and Regular Quotes?
This is a common point of confusion, so it is worth clarifying upfront.
- Regular quotation marks (
"text") are just characters on your keyboard. They appear as normal text with no special formatting. Anyone can type them anywhere. - Blockquotes (
> text) are Markdown formatting. They add a vertical bar (usually blue or gray) on the left side of the text and slight indentation. This visually separates the quoted content from everything else in the message.
Think of blockquotes as a visual container. They tell the reader "this text is a reference to something else" without needing to use actual quotation marks.
How to Quote Text on Discord Desktop
Single-Line Blockquote (> text)
Type a greater-than symbol followed by a space at the start of a line, then your text. Discord adds the vertical bar and indentation automatically.
> This is a blockquote on Discord
Only the line starting with > is quoted. Everything below it is normal text unless you add another > on the next line.
Replying with single-line blockquotes: manual typing and using the reply toolbar
Multi-Line Blockquote (>>> text)
Three greater-than symbols followed by a space quote everything after them, including multiple lines. You do not need to add >>> on every line.
>>> This is a multi-line blockquote.
You can keep typing on the next line.
And the next one. Everything stays quoted.
You can keep typing on the next line.
And the next one. Everything stays quoted.
The >>> only needs to appear once at the beginning. Everything after it, including line breaks, stays inside the blockquote.
Nested Blockquotes
You can nest blockquotes by adding more > symbols. Two >> creates a deeper indentation with a different colored bar.
> Main quote
>> Nested quote inside the main one
> Back to main quote level
Nested quote inside the main oneBack to main quote level
How to Quote on Discord Mobile
The greater-than symbol is on the symbols keyboard on both platforms.
iOS (iPhone / iPad)
- 1
Tap 123 then #+= to find the
>key. - 2
For a single quote, type
>followed by a space, then your text. - 3
For multi-line, type
>>>followed by a space, then your entire quoted message. - 4
Send the message. The blockquote bar appears on all quoted lines.
Android
- 1
Tap ?123 then =\< to access the
>symbol. - 2
Type
>and a space for single-line quotes. Add>on each new line to continue. - 3
Type
>>>and a space for multi-line. Everything after stays quoted. - 4
Use
>>for nested blockquotes within a quote.
Blockquotes Not Working on Discord? Try These Fixes
Common Issues
- You forgot the space after the
>symbol.>textwithout a space does not create a blockquote. There must be a space between>and your text. - You are using the wrong key. Blockquotes use the greater-than symbol (
>), not the right angle bracket ()or a forward slash (/). The>key is usually next to the right Shift key. - Your multi-line quote is not staying quoted. If you used
>(single) and expected all lines to be quoted, switch to>>>instead. Single>only affects one line at a time. - You are inside a code block. Blockquotes do not render inside code blocks. Everything inside backticks displays literally.
- The blockquote bar is invisible on your theme. Some custom themes change the blockquote accent color. Switch to the default Dark or Light theme to check if the bar appears.
Blockquote Discord FAQ
What is the difference between a blockquote and regular quotes on Discord?
" ") are plain text characters. Blockquotes (> text) add a vertical colored bar on the left side that visually separates the quoted content from the rest of the message. Blockquotes are Markdown formatting, not characters.How do I quote multiple lines on Discord without typing > every time?
>>> at the start followed by a space. Everything after it, including line breaks, stays inside the blockquote. You only type >>> once.Can I use bold or italic inside a blockquote?
**text**), italic (*text*), inline code, and even lists inside a blockquote. The formatting renders inside the quoted area.Do blockquotes work on Discord mobile?
> symbol is on the symbols keyboard page. Type > followed by a space for single-line quotes, or >>> for multi-line quotes.How do I nest a blockquote inside another blockquote?
>> (two greater-than symbols) for a nested quote inside a > quote. Each additional > adds another nesting level with a different bar color.Why is my blockquote showing the > symbol instead of the bar?
> symbol, or you are inside a code block. The > must be the first character on the line with no space before it, followed by a space and then your text.