Emoji work in most email programs, but the method depends on what you're using

You can add emoji to email in Gmail, Outlook, Apple Mail, and most other programs. The steps differ slightly between desktop and phone, and between programs. On a phone, you usually open your emoji keyboard the same way you would for a text message. On a computer, you either use a built-in emoji picker, copy and paste from a website, or type a code that converts to an emoji automatically.

Not every email program supports emoji equally. Some older email clients strip them out or display them as boxes or question marks. But if you're using Gmail, Outlook, Apple Mail, or any modern phone email app, emoji will send and display correctly in most cases.

Key Takeaways

  • On iPhone or Android, open your emoji keyboard the same way you do for text messages — usually by tapping a smiley face icon or globe icon on the keyboard.
  • In Gmail on desktop, click the emoji icon (a smiley face) in the compose toolbar, then select the emoji you want.
  • In Outlook on desktop, go to Insert > Icons > Emoji, or use the emoji button in the ribbon if your version has one.
  • You can also copy emoji from a website like emojipedia.org and paste them directly into your email message.
  • Some email programs or older devices may not display emoji correctly, so avoid them if you're sending to someone using very old software.

Adding emoji on your phone

On both iPhone and Android, emoji are built into your keyboard. When you tap in the compose field of your email app, look for a smiley face icon or globe icon on your keyboard — this opens the emoji keyboard. Tap the emoji you want, and it appears in your message. The exact location of this button varies by phone and email app, but it's always on the keyboard itself.

If you don't see an emoji button, try holding down the space bar or looking for a button labeled with a smiley or globe. On iPhone, you may need to add the emoji keyboard first: go to Settings > Keyboard > Keyboards > Add New Keyboard, then select Emoji. On Android, most keyboards have emoji built in by default, but if yours doesn't, you can read a keyboard app like Gboard that includes them.

Adding emoji in Gmail on desktop

Open a new email or reply in Gmail. In the compose window at the bottom, you'll see a row of icons. Click the smiley face icon — this opens the emoji picker. A grid of emoji appears. Click the one you want, and it inserts into your message. You can search for specific emoji by typing in the search box at the top of the picker.

If you don't see the smiley face icon, your compose window may be in a smaller view. Click the expand arrow (usually in the bottom right of the compose box) to open the full compose window, which shows all the formatting tools including emoji.

Adding emoji in Outlook on desktop

In Outlook, the method depends on whether you're using Outlook on the web or the desktop app. In Outlook on the web, click Insert in the top menu, then look for an emoji or smiley icon. In the desktop app for Windows, click Insert in the ribbon, then click Icons, then select Emoji. A picker opens where you can browse and select emoji.

Older versions of Outlook may not have an emoji button. If you can't find it, you can copy emoji from a website instead — see the section below on copying and pasting.

Adding emoji in Apple Mail

On a Mac, open a new email in Apple Mail. Click Edit in the menu bar, then select Emoji & Symbols. A panel opens showing emoji organized by category. Click the emoji you want, and it inserts into your message. You can also use the keyboard shortcut Control + Command + Space to open the emoji picker directly.

On iPad, the process is the same as iPhone — use the emoji keyboard that appears when you tap in the compose field.

Copying and pasting emoji from a website

If your email program doesn't have a built-in emoji picker, you can copy emoji from a website. Go to emojipedia.org or a similar emoji database, search for the emoji you want, and click it. The page shows the emoji and a copy button. Click copy, then go back to your email and paste it (Ctrl+V on Windows, Command+V on Mac).

This method works in any email program, including older ones that don't have emoji support built in. The emoji will paste as a character, just like typing a letter.

When emoji don't display correctly

Some email programs and older devices don't display emoji the way you expect. They might show as small boxes, question marks, or not appear at all. This usually happens with very old email clients or when someone is reading email on an older phone or computer.

If you're sending to someone using outdated software, it's safer to avoid emoji or use only the most common ones like smiley faces and hearts. You can test by sending a test email to yourself on the device you're worried about. If emoji display as boxes or question marks, the recipient's device may have the same problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will emoji look the same on everyone's device?

No. Different phones, computers, and email programs display emoji slightly differently. A smiley face looks similar everywhere, but some emoji look noticeably different on iPhone versus Android, or in Gmail versus Outlook. The emoji will still be recognizable, but the exact appearance varies.

Can I use emoji in the subject line?

Yes, emoji work in subject lines the same way they work in the message body. Use the same method to insert them — the emoji picker in your email program, or copy and paste from a website. Some older email programs may not display them correctly in the subject line, but most modern ones do.

What if I'm using a work email that blocks emoji?

Some organizations filter out emoji for security or compliance reasons. If your work email strips emoji from messages, you won't be able to send them through that account. Try sending a test email to yourself to see if emoji are blocked. If they are, you'll need to use a personal email account instead, or avoid emoji in work messages.

Can I make my own custom emoji?

Most email programs don't support custom emoji. You're limited to the standard emoji that come with your device or operating system. Some programs like Slack allow custom emoji, but standard email does not.

Do emoji count against my character limit?

Emoji are single characters in most email programs, so they count as one character each. This rarely matters for email, since email doesn't have character limits the way text messages do. But if you're copying emoji into a program that does have a limit, each emoji uses one character.