How to Insert a New Line in ChatGPT: Complete Guide 2025

\n\n## Introduction

ChatGPT is a powerful tool for generating text, answering questions, and engaging in conversations. However, mastering the art of formatting your prompts and responses is crucial for effective communication. Inserting new lines is a fundamental formatting skill that allows you to structure your text, improve readability, and convey your message clearly. This guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step walkthrough on how to insert new lines in ChatGPT on both web and iOS platforms. Whether you're crafting detailed instructions, outlining ideas, or simply trying to create a more visually appealing message, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and techniques you need.

Prerequisites

Before we dive into the steps, ensure you have the following:

• A ChatGPT Account: You need an active ChatGPT account to use the platform. If you don't have one, sign up at https://chat.openai.com/.
• Access to ChatGPT: This guide covers both the web version and the iOS app. Ensure you have access to either or both.
• Basic Keyboard Proficiency: Familiarity with basic keyboard functions is assumed.

How to Insert a New Line in ChatGPT on the Web

The web version of ChatGPT offers straightforward methods for inserting new lines using keyboard shortcuts. Here's how:

Step 1: Access ChatGPT on the Web

Open your web browser (e.g., Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge) and navigate to https://chat.openai.com/. Log in to your account if you're not already logged in.

Step 2: Locate the Message Input Field

The message input field is the area at the bottom of the screen where you type your prompts. It's usually a text box labeled "Send a message…" or similar.

Step 3: Insert a New Line Using Shift + Enter

This is the most common and reliable method for inserting a new line in ChatGPT on the web.

1. Type Your Text: Begin typing your message in the input field.
2. Press Shift + Enter: When you want to insert a new line, press and hold the Shift key and then press the Enter key (or Return key).
3. Continue Typing: A new line will be inserted, and you can continue typing your message on the next line.

This is the first line.
(Press Shift + Enter here)
This is the second line.

Step 4: Alternative Method: Using HTML Line Breaks (Less Recommended)

While not the primary method, you can sometimes use HTML line breaks (<br>) to force a new line. However, ChatGPT might not always interpret them correctly, so it's generally less reliable than Shift + Enter.

1. Type Your Text: Begin typing your message.
2. Insert <br>: Where you want a new line, type <br>.
3. Continue Typing: Continue typing your message.

This is the first line.<br>This is the second line.

Caution: This method's effectiveness can vary depending on updates to ChatGPT's parsing engine.

Step 5: Send Your Message

Once you've finished formatting your message with new lines, click the "Send" button (usually a paper airplane icon) or press Enter to send your message to ChatGPT.

How to Insert a New Line in ChatGPT on iOS (iPhone/iPad)

Inserting new lines on the iOS app requires a slightly different approach, as the on-screen keyboard doesn't have a dedicated Shift + Enter combination.

Step 1: Open the ChatGPT App on Your iOS Device

Locate the ChatGPT app icon on your iPhone or iPad and tap it to open the app.

Step 2: Locate the Message Input Field

The message input field is at the bottom of the screen, similar to the web version.

Step 3: Use the "Return" Key for a New Line

The primary method for inserting a new line on iOS is to use the "Return" key (often labeled as "Return" or "Go").

1. Type Your Text: Start typing your message in the input field.
2. Tap the "Return" Key: When you want to insert a new line, tap the "Return" key on the on-screen keyboard.
3. Continue Typing: A new line will be inserted, and you can continue typing.

This is the first line.
(Tap the Return key here)
This is the second line.

Step 4: Handling the "Send" Button Issue

Sometimes, tapping the "Return" key might directly send the message instead of inserting a new line. This depends on your keyboard settings and the current version of the ChatGPT app. If this happens, try the following:

• Long Press the Send Button: Some keyboards allow you to long-press the "Send" button to reveal a "New Line" or "Return" option. Try pressing and holding the "Send" button for a second or two to see if this option appears.

• Use a Third-Party Keyboard: Consider using a third-party keyboard app (e.g., Gboard, SwiftKey) that offers more customization options, including the ability to add a dedicated "New Line" key. Many of these keyboards allow you to customize the function of the Return/Enter key.

• Voice Input: As a workaround, you can use voice input to dictate your message and say "new line" where you want a line break. This might require some editing afterward, but it can be helpful for longer messages.

To use voice input, tap the microphone icon on your iOS keyboard and speak your message.

Step 5: Send Your Message

Once you've formatted your message with new lines, tap the "Send" button (usually a paper airplane icon) to send it to ChatGPT.

Troubleshooting

Here are some common issues you might encounter and how to resolve them:

• Shift + Enter Not Working on Web:
  • Check Browser Extensions: Some browser extensions can interfere with keyboard shortcuts. Try disabling extensions one by one to see if any are causing the issue.
  • Try a Different Browser: If the problem persists, try using a different web browser to see if the issue is browser-specific.
  • Restart Your Browser: A simple browser restart can sometimes resolve keyboard shortcut issues.
• "Return" Key Sends Message Instead of Inserting New Line on iOS:
  • Long Press the Send Button: As mentioned earlier, try long-pressing the "Send" button.
  • Check Keyboard Settings: Look for keyboard settings on your iOS device that might be affecting the "Return" key's behavior. Go to Settings > General > Keyboard and review the settings.
  • Use a Third-Party Keyboard: Consider using a third-party keyboard app with more customization options.
• New Lines Appear in the Input Field but Not in the Sent Message:
  • Check ChatGPT Updates: Ensure you are using the latest version of the ChatGPT app or web interface. Outdated versions may have formatting bugs.
  • Report the Issue: If the problem persists, report the issue to OpenAI through their support channels.
• Inconsistent Formatting with HTML Line Breaks (<br>):
  • Avoid Using HTML Line Breaks: As mentioned earlier, this method is unreliable. Stick to Shift + Enter (web) or the "Return" key (iOS) for consistent results.

Advanced Formatting Tips

Beyond simply inserting new lines, you can further enhance your ChatGPT prompts and responses with other formatting techniques:

• Bullet Points: Use asterisks (*) or hyphens (-) at the beginning of each line to create bulleted lists.

  * Item 1
  * Item 2
  * Item 3
  

• Numbered Lists: Use numbers followed by a period (.) at the beginning of each line to create numbered lists.

  1. Item 1
  2. Item 2
  3. Item 3
  

• Code Blocks: Enclose code snippets within triple backticks (`````) to format them as code blocks. Specify the programming language after the first set of backticks for syntax highlighting.

  def hello_world():
      print("Hello, world!")
  

• Headings: Use # symbols at the beginning of a line to create headings. The number of # symbols determines the heading level (e.g., # Heading 1, ## Heading 2, ### Heading 3).

  # This is a Heading 1
  ## This is a Heading 2
  ### This is a Heading 3
  

• Bold and Italics: Use asterisks or underscores to format text as bold or italics.

  • *Italics* or _Italics_
  • **Bold** or __Bold__

Conclusion

Inserting new lines in ChatGPT is a fundamental formatting skill that significantly improves the clarity and readability of your prompts and responses. By mastering the techniques outlined in this guide – using Shift + Enter on the web and the Return key on iOS – you can effectively structure your text and communicate your ideas more clearly. Remember to troubleshoot any issues you encounter and explore advanced formatting options to further enhance your ChatGPT experience. Experiment with different formatting techniques to discover what works best for you and your specific use cases. Consistent formatting will lead to more effective and engaging interactions with ChatGPT.