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Is this text sarcastic?

Sarcasm is easy to miss in a text, and easy to see where there isn’t any. Paste the text to see how easily it could read as sarcastic, and a few ways to read it.

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Why sarcasm is hard to read in a text

Out loud, sarcasm comes with a tone of voice, a look or an eye roll. In a text, the reader gets only the words. The person who wrote it hears their own tone when they read it back, so it seems obvious to them, and it often isn’t to you.

What one study found

In five experiments, people overestimated how well their tone (sarcasm, seriousness, anger) came across over email. They “heard” the tone they meant, and found it hard to imagine reading the message without it.

Kruger, J., Epley, N., Parker, J., & Ng, Z.-W. (2005). Egocentrism over e-mail: Can we communicate as well as we think? Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 89(6), 925–936.

Check before assuming ›

Texts that might be sarcastic

A few that could go either way, what else they could mean, and a question that lets the other person say.

Their reply after you said the trip is delayedGreat, love that for us.

  • They’re annoyed, and joking about it.
  • They’re fed up with the situation, not with you.
  • They’re frustrated with you, and saying it sideways.

A question you could askHa, yeah. Is the new plan okay with you, or is it a real problem?

The text you gotOh sure, because that always works 😉

  • They’re teasing, in a friendly way.
  • They doubt it’ll work, but they’re keeping it light.
  • They doubt it, and they’re a little annoyed.

A question you could askIs that a real no, or are you teasing me?

Their reply after you forgot to pick something up for themThanks a lot.

  • They’re annoyed, and being sarcastic about it.
  • They’re disappointed, and keeping it light.
  • They mean it, if it turned out fine.

A question you could askSorry about that. Did it cause a problem?

Winks and other clues

People who want sarcasm to come across often add a clue: a winking or tongue-out face, praise for something that went wrong, or words that are a little too much (“love that”). Without one, it’s much easier to miss, or to see sarcasm that isn’t there.

What one study found

In two studies, when people had to make their meaning clear in writing, they marked sarcasm with a winking or tongue-out face, and used “…” more for criticism than for sarcasm.

Thompson, D., & Filik, R. (2016). Sarcasm in written communication: Emoticons are efficient markers of intention. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 21(2), 105–120.

If you’re the one being sarcastic

If it matters that they get it, add a clue or say it plainly. Switch the box to “I’m sending it” to check yours before you send it.

Is my text rude? ›Sarcasm over text: why it gets lost, and one thing to try ›

Common questions

How can you tell if a text is sarcastic?

Often you can’t be sure. Clues include a winking or tongue-out face, praise for something that went wrong, and words that are a little too much, like “love that.” If it matters, ask.

Why do some people miss sarcasm in texts?

Without a voice, it’s easy to take sarcasm at its word. Some people miss it more often than others, and a winking face can help.

What one study found

In an online study, older adults missed sarcasm in written messages more often than younger adults did, and caught it more often when the message came with a winking 😉.

Garcia, C., Țurcan, A., Howman, H., & Filik, R. (2022). Emoji as a tool to aid the comprehension of written sarcasm: Evidence from younger and older adults. Computers in Human Behavior, 126, 106971.

Will it tell me if they were being sarcastic?

It tells you how easily the words could read as sarcastic, and which words do it. It never says they were: only they know how they meant it. So it also shows a few ways to read it, sarcastic and not, and a question that lets them tell you.

Is what I write saved?

We don’t save what you write. It’s used only to make your result, and the AI service that helps make it doesn’t train on it. The privacy policy has the details.

How many can I check?

Ten a day, free.

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The Quills Check is general information about communication, not legal, financial or professional advice, and AI can get things wrong. If you’re afraid of how someone might react, a tool isn’t enough: put your safety first and talk to someone you trust (Safety first).