The three ways to use emojis in Discord

Discord lets you send emojis in three ways: using your device's built-in emoji keyboard, typing emoji codes that Discord converts automatically, or uploading custom emojis that only your server can use. The fastest method depends on what you're trying to do and whether you want a standard emoji everyone has or a custom one your server created.

Most people use their device's emoji keyboard because it works everywhere and requires no setup. If you want to use a custom emoji your server made, you'll need to type its name in a special format. If you want to create custom emojis for your server, you need to be a server owner or have the permissions to manage emojis.

Key Takeaways

  • Your device's emoji keyboard is the fastest way to send a standard emoji — press the emoji button on your keyboard and select what you want.
  • Discord converts emoji codes (like :smile:) into actual emojis automatically when you type them in a message.
  • Custom emojis only work in the server where they were uploaded, and you type them by name using a colon on each side (:emoji_name:).
  • To upload custom emojis to your server, you must be the server owner or have the "Manage Emojis and Stickers" permission.

Using your device's emoji keyboard

This is the simplest method and works on any device. On Windows, press the Windows key and the period key at the same time. On Mac, press Control, Command, and the spacebar together. On iPhone or iPad, tap the emoji button (usually a smiley face) on your keyboard. On Android, tap the emoji button on your keyboard — the exact location varies by keyboard app, but it's usually near the spacebar.

Once the emoji menu opens, scroll through the categories or search for what you want. Tap or click the emoji you want, and it will appear in your Discord message. This method works in any Discord channel and requires no setup.

Typing emoji codes Discord recognizes

Discord converts certain text codes into emojis automatically. Type a colon, then the emoji name, then another colon — for example, :smile: becomes 😄. As you type, Discord shows you a list of matching emojis below your message so you can see what will appear.

Common emoji codes include :laughing:, :thinking:, :heart:, :fire:, :thumbsup:, and :tada:. You can also type :+1: for a thumbs up or :-1: for a thumbs down. If you're not sure of the exact name, start typing and Discord's autocomplete will suggest matches. This method works in any Discord server and is useful when you want to be precise about which emoji you're sending.

Finding and using custom emojis in your server

Custom emojis are images your server owner or moderators uploaded specifically for that server. They only work in that server — you can't use them elsewhere. To use a custom emoji, type a colon followed by its name, then another colon. For example, if your server has a custom emoji called "partyparrot", you would type :partyparrot: in your message.

If you don't know the exact name, start typing a colon and the first few letters. Discord will show you a list of custom emojis that match. You can also right-click on a custom emoji someone else used in the chat, select "Copy Emoji Code", and paste it into your message. This copies the exact format Discord needs to display it.

Uploading custom emojis to your server

To add custom emojis to your server, you must be the server owner or have the "Manage Emojis and Stickers" permission. Open your server settings by clicking the server name at the top left, then select "Emoji" from the left menu. Click the "Upload Emoji" button.

Choose an image file from your device — Discord accepts PNG, JPG, GIF, and WebP files. The image should be at least 32 pixels by 32 pixels, though 128 by 128 pixels is ideal for clarity. Give the emoji a name using only letters, numbers, and underscores (no spaces or special characters). Click "Upload" and the emoji is now available to everyone in your server. They'll type it using the colon format, like :your_emoji_name:.

Reacting to messages with emojis

You can also add an emoji reaction to someone else's message without typing anything. Hover over their message and click the smiley face icon that appears. This opens your emoji keyboard. Select the emoji you want, and it will appear as a small reaction below their message. Other people can click that same emoji to add their own reaction, and Discord will count how many people reacted with it.

Emoji reactions are useful for quick feedback — a thumbs up to agree, a fire emoji to say something is cool, or a thinking face to show you're considering something. You can remove your reaction by clicking it again.

Troubleshooting emojis that don't appear

If you type an emoji code and it doesn't convert to an emoji, you may have the format wrong. Make sure you have a colon directly before and after the emoji name with no spaces — :smile: works, but : smile : does not. If you're trying to use a custom emoji and it's not showing up, you might be in a different server where that emoji doesn't exist, or you may have typed the name incorrectly.

If a custom emoji appears as a broken image or question mark, the server owner may have deleted it or the image file was corrupted when it was uploaded. Ask your server owner or a moderator to re-upload it. If emoji reactions aren't working, make sure you have permission to react in that channel — some servers restrict reactions to certain roles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same custom emoji in multiple servers?

No. Custom emojis only work in the server where they were uploaded. If you want the same emoji in another server, the owner of that server has to upload it separately. Standard emojis and emoji codes work everywhere.

What's the difference between an emoji code and a custom emoji?

Emoji codes like :smile: are built into Discord and work in any server. Custom emojis are images your server created and only work in that specific server. Both use the colon format, but custom emojis are usually longer names and look like small images rather than standard emoji symbols.

Can I upload an emoji that's already a standard emoji?

Technically yes, but it's not useful. If you upload an image of a standard emoji as a custom emoji, it will only work in your server and people will have to type a special code to use it. It's better to use the standard emoji codes everyone already knows.

Do I need permission to react with emojis?

Usually no. Most servers let anyone react with emojis in any channel. However, some servers restrict reactions to certain roles or channels. If you can't react, ask a moderator whether reactions are turned off in that channel.

What file types work for custom emojis?

Discord accepts PNG, JPG, GIF, and WebP files. GIF files will animate in your server, so people will see the emoji move. The image must be at least 32 by 32 pixels, though larger images look clearer.