How to make greentext on 4chan (formatting guide)

Want to learn how to make greentext on 4chan? Whether you’re a new anon or a seasoned lurker, mastering the unique formatting of imageboards is the first step to sharing your own stories.

Each line starting with > turns green—that’s the core of the greentext format. But there are a few technical gotchas that trip up newcomers. This guide covers everything from basic arrows to advanced spoiler tags and post linking.

The 10-second version

Here’s the basic format:

The key rule: Each new line matters. Each line must start with > to appear green.

If you forget the > at the start of a line, it won’t be green. Simple as that.

> vs >> vs >>> (this is where most people get it wrong)

Most people know about > for greentext, but there are two other arrow formats on 4chan that do completely different things:

Single arrow: >

Purpose: Quote/greentext a line

This is your basic greentext format. Use it for every line of your story that you want to appear green.

Double arrow: >>

Purpose: Link to a post number

When you want to reply to someone or reference their post, use >> followed by the post number. This creates a clickable link and notifies the original poster.

Triple arrow: >>>

Purpose: Link to another board or cross-board post

Use this when you want to link to a post on a different board. Format is >>>/boardname/postnumber or just >>>/boardname/ to link to the board itself.

Common mistake: Using >> or >>> at the start of story lines. These won’t appear green—they’ll create links instead!

How people actually write greentext stories (style tips)

Now that you know the technical formatting, you need to understand the storytelling rhythm. Learning how to write a good greentext story is just as important as knowing where to put the arrows.

One beat per line

Greentext is all about rhythm. Each line should contain one moment, one action, or one thought.

Keep lines short

Short lines = faster pacing = better storytelling. Don’t cram multiple actions into one line.

Bad:

Good:

Mix normal lines (no >) for punchlines / “record scratch” moments

One of the best greentext techniques: drop the > for dramatic effect.

Breaking the greentext format adds emphasis. Use it for plot twists, realizations, or punchlines.

Optional: spoiler text

Want to hide text until someone hovers over it? Use spoiler tags:

Spoilers are great for:

• NSFW content warnings
• Surprise endings
• Redacting parts of stories for dramatic effect

Note: This is optional formatting—keep your focus on the basic greentext structure first.

Copy/paste templates

Here are the most common greentext openers. Pick one and run with it:

Classic: “>be me”

Use for: Any story. The most universal greentext opener.

Emotion: “>tfw” (that feel when)

Use for: Emotional or relatable stories about feelings.

Reaction: “>mfw” (my face when)

Use for: Stories where your reaction is the punchline.

Anonymous: “>anon”

Use for: Third-person stories or when you’re narrating someone else’s experience.

Longform: “>in which”

Use for: Longer, more literary stories. Sets up the premise upfront.

FAQ

Why isn’t my text green?

Check these:

1. Does your line start with >? If there’s a space before the >, it won’t work.
2. Are you on 4chan or a chan-style board? Greentext only works on imageboards with that feature.
3. Did you use >> or >>> instead? Those are for links, not greentext.
4. Is there text before the >? Each line must start with >.

How do I reply to a specific post?

Use >> followed by the post number:

To find the post number, look at the top of any post on 4chan. It’s the number like “No. 123456” in the post header. Click it to copy it automatically in many browsers.

Can I use greentext outside of 4chan?

Sort of. Greentext formatting works on most imageboards (8chan, 420chan, etc.) and some Reddit communities that mimic the style. But outside of imageboards, you’ll need to:

• Manually format it with green text color
• Use our generator to create images of greentext
• Use screenshot tools to capture real greentext

How long should a greentext story be?

Short format (3-10 lines): Quick jokes, memes, relatable moments

Medium format (10-30 lines): Most common. Full story with setup and punchline.

Long format (30+ lines): Epic tales, elaborate trolling, creative fiction

Start short. Once you get the rhythm, you can go longer.

Summary: Your 4chan Formatting Checklist

To ensure your post looks right on the boards, remember:

• Every line must start with >.
• No spaces before the >.
• Short lines create the best rhythm.
• Use >> for replies, not for green text.

Next Steps

Now that you’ve mastered the formatting, take your stories to the next level:

• Learn the advanced techniques in our guide to writing good greentext stories.
• Use the Greentext Generator to practice your formatting and see how it looks before you post.