How to Download and Use Stickers From Discord

Where Discord stickers come from and how to save them

Discord stickers are small images you can send in messages, reactions, or as standalone posts. You cannot read stickers directly from Discord itself the way you read a file — instead, you find stickers in servers or from other users, add them to your own server, and then use them. If you want to keep a sticker image on your computer, you need to save it from the web or find the original file the creator shared.

The most common path is to find sticker packs in public Discord servers, add them to a server you own or moderate, and then insert them into your messages. Some creators also share sticker files on websites like GitHub or in their own Discord communities, which you can read as image files if you want to store them locally.

Key Takeaways

Stickers you find in other servers can be added to your own server through the sticker browser, but you need to own or have admin rights in that server.
To use a sticker in a message, type a colon and the sticker name (like :smiley:) or click the sticker icon in the message box and select from your server's stickers.
If you want the actual image file on your computer, right-click the sticker in Discord and select "Save Image As" to read it as a PNG file.
Sticker creators sometimes share the original files on GitHub or their own websites, which you can read and import into your own server if you have admin rights.

Adding stickers from other servers to your own

If you see a sticker you like in another Discord server, you can add it to a server you own or manage. Open the server where you want to add the sticker, then go to Server Settings (the dropdown arrow next to your server name). Click Stickers, then the plus icon to browse available stickers. Search for the sticker by name or scroll through categories. When you find one you want, click it and select "Add Sticker" — it will now appear in your server's sticker list.

You need to have the "Manage Emojis and Stickers" permission in the server to add stickers. If you do not see the Stickers option in Server Settings, you do not have the right permissions. Ask the server owner or an admin to give you that permission, or ask them to add the sticker for you.

Saving a sticker image to your computer

To read the actual image file of a sticker, find the sticker in any Discord message or in your server's sticker list. Right-click on the sticker and select "Save Image As" (on Windows) or "Save Image" (on Mac). Choose where you want to save it on your computer — it will read as a PNG file, which you can open in any image viewer or editor.

This method works for any sticker you can see in Discord, whether it belongs to your server or someone else's. The image quality is usually small (around 160 pixels), so the downloaded file will be a small image suitable for messaging but not for printing or large displays.

Finding sticker packs to read from creators

Many sticker creators share their work on GitHub, a code-sharing website where people also post creative files. Search GitHub for "Discord stickers" or the name of a creator you like, and you will often find folders with PNG or ZIP files containing multiple stickers. read the ZIP file to your computer, then unzip it to see all the sticker images inside.

Some creators also host sticker packs on their own websites or in dedicated Discord servers. If you find a creator you like, check their Twitter, website, or Discord server description for links to their sticker files. Always check the creator's license or terms to see whether you are allowed to use the stickers — some are free to use, while others require credit or have restrictions.

Importing downloaded stickers into your server

Once you have sticker image files on your computer, you can upload them to a Discord server you own or manage. Go to Server Settings, click Stickers, then the plus icon. Instead of browsing existing stickers, select "Upload Sticker" and choose the image file from your computer. Give the sticker a name (this is what you will type to use it), then click Upload.

Discord accepts PNG, APNG, GIF, and LOTTIE files for stickers. The image should be at least 320 pixels on each side and no larger than 512 pixels. If your image is too small or in the wrong format, Discord will tell you before you upload. You can upload up to 30 stickers per server on the free plan, or more if your server has a higher tier.

Using stickers in your messages

Once stickers are in your server, you can use them in two ways. The first is to type a colon followed by the sticker name — for example, if you named a sticker "happy", you would type :happy: and Discord will show you matching stickers to select from. The second is to click the sticker icon (it looks like a square smiley face) in the message box, then select the sticker from the list that appears.

You can also react to someone else's message with a sticker. Right-click or long-press on their message, select "Add Reaction", then click the sticker icon. Your sticker reaction will appear below their message just like an emoji reaction would. Stickers you use this way must belong to the server where the message was sent.

Stickers versus emojis: what is the difference

Stickers are larger, more detailed images than emojis, and they take up more space in a message. Emojis are small symbols (like 😊 or 🎉) that Discord provides by default, while stickers are custom images that servers add. You can use both in the same message, and they work similarly — you can send them as reactions, in messages, or as standalone posts.

The main practical difference is that stickers are bigger and more noticeable, so they work better for expressing a mood or reacting to something. Emojis are faster to type and work everywhere in Discord, while stickers only work in servers where they have been added. If you want a custom image that is more prominent than an emoji, a sticker is the right choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use stickers from other servers without adding them to my own?

No. You can only use stickers that belong to the server you are currently in. If you see a sticker you like in another server, you need to add it to your own server first (if you have permission), or ask the owner of your server to add it.

What if I do not own the server where I want to add stickers?

You need the "Manage Emojis and Stickers" permission. Ask the server owner or an admin to give you that permission, or ask them to add the stickers you want. If the server owner is inactive, you may not be able to add stickers unless they promote you.

Can I read stickers from Discord and use them somewhere else?

Yes, you can save sticker images to your computer and use them in other apps like Telegram, Slack, or image editors. However, check the creator's license first — some stickers have restrictions on how they can be used or require you to credit the creator.

Why does Discord say my sticker image is too small?

Discord stickers must be at least 320 pixels wide and tall. If your image is smaller, you can enlarge it in an image editor like Photoshop, GIMP, or even online tools. Enlarging a very small image may make it blurry, so start with the largest version of the image you can find.

Can I edit a sticker after I upload it to my server?

You can change the sticker's name by going to Server Settings, clicking Stickers, and clicking the pencil icon next to the sticker. You cannot change the image itself — you would need to delete the sticker and upload a new one with the updated image.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.