[Complete Guide] All you need to know about WhatsApp signs

With nearly 2 billion users worldwide, WhatsApp is surely on your telephone.

But do you really know what these symbols mean? Under each message, the app displays a clock, a gray check mark, two gray check marks, or two blue check marks.

Each icon represents a specific step in the process from sending to reading. Here's exactly what they mean.

What do the indicators mean for WhatsApp messages?

When you're chatting on WhatsApp, several icons help you track your message from the time it's sent until it's read by the recipient.

Many users have limited knowledge of these indicators (the check marks) that appear below each message in a conversation.

To avoid misunderstandings—which might lead you to think that a contact is ignoring your messages—here's what each check mark means.

1. What does the little clock on WhatsApp mean?

First situation : You sent a message, but the’icon of a small clock appears under that same message in WhatsApp.

⏲️ : The clock icon means your message hasn't been sent yet. Check to see if your internet connection is stable, or wait a moment for it to send.

2. What does a single grey WhatsApp tick mean?

Second situation : You sent a message and a single grey tick appears below that same message in the conversation.

✓ : The gray checkmark confirms that your message has been sent to the WhatsApp servers, but not that it has been delivered to the recipient's phone. The message has left your phone, but hasn't reached your contact's phone yet.

A single gray checkmark may also appear if the person is offline or has uninstalled the app. Therefore, this alone is not proof that you’ve been blocked.

3. What do the two gray WhatsApp check marks mean?

Third situation : You sent a message and two grey coches appear under that same message in the conversation.

✓✓ : These two gray check marks indicate that your message has been successfully delivered to the recipient's phone, but not necessarily that they have read it.

4. What do the two blue WhatsApp ticks mean?

Fourth scenario : You sent a message and two blue ticks appear under that same message in the conversation.

✓✓ : The two blue check marks confirm three things: The message was sent, delivered, and then read by the recipient.

Remark : Whether you send a picture, a file, or a voice message, the meaning of these WhatsApp symbols remains the same.

Why isn't a read message blue on WhatsApp?

Sometimes, a message that your contact has already opened doesn't show up in blue cars on WhatsApp. There are several reasons for this situation:

• The reading confirmations are disabled, either on your end or on the recipient's end,
• An internet connection problem on your phone is preventing the icon from updating,
• The person hasn't started the conversation yet,
• You may have been blocked by this contact.

When someone blocks you, your message will show a single gray checkmark. But this isn't definitive proof that you've been blocked: a lost connection shows the same indicator. You can also check out our guide on all about WhatsApp blocking To learn more.

What is the difference between “sent” and “delivered” on WhatsApp?

The difference between a message sent and a message posted on WhatsApp refers to a specific step. Here is the meaning of the two terms, to avoid misunderstandings:

• «Sent» (a gray checkmark) : Your message has successfully been sent from your phone to the servers at WhatsApp. It hasn't reached your contact's device yet.
• «Distributed» (two gray check marks) : The message has been sent from the servers to the recipient's phone. Two gray check marks therefore mean that it has been delivered but has not yet been read.

A message may remain in the «sent» status for a while. This happens when the recipient doesn't have an internet connection or when their phone is turned off. As soon as they reconnect, the second gray checkmark appears.

How to hide WhatsApp signs?

Would you prefer to hide the reading indicators on WhatsApp ? Here's how to turn off read receipts depending on the phone you're using.

• Go to "Settings (Android, top right in the three dots) or "Settings (iPhone, bottom right).
• Then press «Privacy».

• Finally, uncheck the box «Read Receipts».