How to Send an Empty Message on Discord: The Definitive Guide

Want to send a message on Discord that looks like it’s completely blank? There are a few clever tricks to bypass Discord’s built-in mechanism that prevents you from just hitting “Send” with nothing in the text box. You can achieve this using Discord formatting tricks, invisible characters, or clever Unicode workarounds. Each method offers a slightly different “empty” result, so let’s dive into each one.

Mastering the Art of the Invisible Message

Discord, in its infinite wisdom, prevents you from sending an actual empty message. It’s a safeguard, primarily aimed at preventing spam and keeping channels from becoming a chaotic mess of whitespace. However, the desire to send a message that appears empty persists. Perhaps you want to create a visual break in a conversation, signal silent agreement, or play a prank on your friends. Here are the methods that actually work in practice.

Method 1: The Zero-Width Space Character

This is your most reliable and frequently used method. The Zero-Width Space (ZWSP) is exactly what it sounds like: a character that takes up no visible space. Discord interprets it as a character, thus bypassing the “empty message” filter, but it renders as nothing on the screen.

How to use it:

1. Copy the following character: ​ (Yes, the space between the backticks is actually a character – the ZWSP).
2. Paste it into the Discord text box.
3. Press “Send.”

You’ve now sent a message that appears entirely blank. You can even copy/paste multiple ZWSPs for a visually larger “empty” space. Be careful, though – too many might start to subtly impact the alignment of surrounding text, if any.

Method 2: Using Markdown for Whitespace Blocks

Discord’s Markdown formatting can also be exploited to create the illusion of an empty message, though this method renders a message containing a subtle visual element. This creates an “empty” block.

How to use it:

1. Type three backticks (“`) on one line
2. Press enter and type another three backticks (“`) on the following line.
3. Press send

The result is a block of code that appears empty. This is useful for visually separating chunks of text, even if it’s not completely invisible.

Method 3: The Unicode “Hangul Filler” Character

The Hangul Filler character (U+FFA0) is another Unicode character that, while not technically a zero-width space, often renders as blank in Discord. It behaves similarly to the ZWSP.

How to use it:

1. Copy the following character: ﾠ (Yes, that’s the character between the spaces).
2. Paste it into the Discord text box.
3. Press “Send.”

This method is less universally reliable than the ZWSP, as rendering can vary across different devices and Discord clients. However, it’s worth trying if the ZWSP isn’t working for you for some reason.

Method 4: Combining Emojis with Zero-Width Spaces (Advanced)

This method relies on the nuances of how Discord handles emojis combined with ZWSPs. It’s a bit trickier, but can be effective in certain situations.

How to use it:

1. Type an emoji in the Discord text box (e.g., :thinking: ).
2. Immediately after the emoji (without any spaces), paste a Zero-Width Space (​).
3. Send the message.

The result is that sometimes, depending on the emoji and the specific client, the emoji will render very small and the ZWSP will be the only visible element. This might be interpreted as an almost empty message. This method is more about visual trickery than a true empty message.

Important Considerations

• Mobile vs. Desktop: Rendering of these characters can differ between the Discord mobile app and the desktop client. Always test your method on both platforms to ensure the desired effect.
• Discord Updates: Discord is constantly evolving. Features and workarounds that function today might be patched out in future updates. Be prepared for these methods to become obsolete.
• Context Matters: Consider why you want to send an empty message. Is it for comedic effect? To separate content? To signal something silently? The reason behind your action should guide your choice of method.

FAQs: Your Guide to Invisible Messaging on Discord

Here are the most frequently asked questions relating to sending “empty” messages on Discord.

1. Why can’t I just send a blank message on Discord?

Discord’s system is designed to prevent sending completely blank messages to avoid spam and keep channels organized. The platform requires some form of content to be present before a message can be sent.

2. Is it against Discord’s Terms of Service to send “empty” messages?

Generally, no. Using these methods to send visually empty messages doesn’t violate Discord’s terms, unless you’re using them maliciously (e.g., to spam or disrupt conversations). Use them responsibly.

3. The Zero-Width Space isn’t working! What should I do?

Ensure you are copying the actual character between the backticks (​). Sometimes, copying from certain websites or applications can introduce formatting that interferes with the character. Try copying from a plain text editor or directly from this article. Also, try other methods listed above in case Discord has changed its behavior for ZWSPs.

4. Can other people see that I sent an empty message?

Yes, if they select and copy the “empty” message, the ZWSP or other invisible characters will be copied along with it. Also, a trained eye might see subtle differences in line spacing.

5. Will these methods work in Discord bots?

Yes, these methods generally work in Discord bots. You can use the same techniques in your bot’s code to send messages that appear empty. This can be useful for creating custom commands or visually separating bot outputs.

6. How do I detect if a message contains only Zero-Width Spaces?

Programmatically (e.g., in a Discord bot), you can strip all visible characters from the message string using regular expressions and check if anything remains. If the resulting string contains only Zero-Width Spaces or other invisible characters, you know the message is effectively “empty.”

7. Can I use these “empty” messages in Discord nicknames?

No, these techniques generally don’t work for Discord nicknames. Discord has stricter validation for nicknames to prevent invisible or misleading names.

8. Does this work on every Discord server?

Yes, these methods should work on any Discord server where you have permission to send messages. The functionality is client-side and not server-dependent.

9. Are there any other “invisible” characters I can use?

Besides the ZWSP and Hangul Filler, other Unicode characters like the Mongolian Vowel Separator (U+180E) might work, but their reliability is even more inconsistent. The ZWSP is generally the most reliable.

10. Will Nitro users see something different than non-Nitro users?

No, the display of these “empty” messages isn’t affected by whether or not a user has Discord Nitro. The rendering depends on the device and client, not the Nitro status.

11. Can I use these to create completely invisible Discord profiles?

No, these techniques are primarily limited to messages. Discord profiles have more robust validation to prevent entirely invisible or blank profiles.

12. Why would someone want to send an empty message anyway?

The reasons vary. Some use it for visual separation in long conversations, creating a break in the flow of text. Others use it for comedic effect or as a way to signal agreement or acknowledgment without explicitly typing a response. It can also be used creatively in roleplaying scenarios. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and how you want to communicate on Discord.