Discord polls let you ask a question and get quick answers from your server members
A poll in Discord is a built-in feature that lets you post a question with multiple choice answers. Members click the emoji reactions to vote, and you see the results in real time. Discord added this feature in 2023, so if you use a recent version of the app or website, you have access to it.
Polls work in any text channel where you have permission to post messages. They are useful for deciding what game to play, what time to meet, or just asking your server what people think about something. The poll stays visible in the channel until you delete it, and anyone can change their vote by clicking a different emoji.
Key Takeaways
- Open any text channel, type your question, and Discord will show you a poll creation box with space for up to six answer options.
- Each answer option gets its own emoji reaction, and members vote by clicking the emoji they prefer.
- You can set a poll to close automatically after 1 hour, 24 hours, 3 days, or 7 days, or leave it open indefinitely.
- Only the person who created the poll or a server moderator can delete it before the time runs out.
How to start a poll on desktop or mobile
Open Discord and go to the text channel where you want to post the poll. Type your question in the message box at the bottom of the screen. Before you press Enter, look for the poll icon — it looks like a bar chart or graph. On desktop, it appears to the left of the send button. On mobile, swipe left in the message box or tap the plus icon to find it.
Click or tap the poll icon. A box will open asking you to confirm your question and add answer options. Discord fills in the first two options as "Yes" and "No" by default, but you can change these to anything you want. Type your first answer option, then press Tab or click the next field to add a second option. You can add up to six options total.
Once you have entered all your answer options, look for the duration setting. This is where you choose how long the poll stays open. The options are 1 hour, 24 hours, 3 days, 7 days, or no expiration. Select the time that makes sense for your question, then click "Post Poll" or the send button. Your poll is now live in the channel.
What happens after you post a poll
Your poll appears in the channel as a message with your question and all the answer options displayed as emoji buttons. Each option gets a number emoji (1️⃣, 2️⃣, 3️⃣, and so on) that members click to vote. The poll shows a live count of how many people voted for each option, and the percentages update as more votes come in.
Members can change their vote at any time by clicking a different emoji. If someone clicks the same emoji twice, their vote is removed. The poll does not show who voted for what — only the total count and percentage for each option. This keeps votes private.
When the time you set runs out, the poll closes automatically and stops accepting new votes. If you set the poll to have no expiration, it stays open until you or a moderator delete it manually. You can delete a poll by clicking the three dots on the message and selecting "Delete."
Editing poll options before you post
Before you click "Post Poll," you can change any of the answer options. Click on an option field and type whatever you want. You can also delete an option by clicking the X next to it, which removes that choice from the poll. If you delete an option, the remaining options shift up and get new emoji numbers.
You cannot edit a poll after you post it. If you realize you made a mistake or want to change an option, delete the poll and create a new one. This is why it is worth double-checking your question and options before you send.
Polls in private channels and direct messages
Polls work in private channels the same way they work in public ones. If you have a private channel for a smaller group, you can still create polls there. However, Discord does not support polls in direct messages between two people. If you try to use the poll feature in a DM, the option will not appear.
If you want to run a poll with just one other person, you can create a private channel with that person and use polls there instead. This gives you the same voting and timing features you would have in a larger server.
Common reasons a poll might not work
If you do not see the poll icon in your message box, you may be using an older version of Discord. Update the app or refresh your browser to get the latest version. The poll feature is available on Discord's desktop app, mobile app, and website, but only if your version is current.
If you do not have permission to post messages in a channel, you will not be able to create a poll there. Ask a server moderator to give you the right permissions. If you are the server owner or a moderator, make sure the channel settings allow you to post.
If a poll is not showing up after you post it, try refreshing the channel. Sometimes Discord takes a moment to sync the poll across all devices. If the problem continues, try creating the poll again in a different channel to see if the issue is with that specific channel or with your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see who voted for what in a poll?
No. Discord polls show only the total count and percentage for each option, not which members voted for which answer. This keeps individual votes private.
What happens if I delete a poll before it expires?
The poll disappears from the channel when ready. Members cannot vote anymore, and the results are gone. Only the person who created the poll or a server moderator can delete it.
Can I add more than six answer options?
No. Discord limits polls to six answer options maximum. If you need more choices, you can create a second poll or use a different method like a reaction-based vote on a regular message.
Do polls work on mobile the same way as desktop?
Yes. The poll feature works the same on Discord's mobile app and desktop version. The steps are slightly different because of how mobile interfaces work, but the end result is identical.
Can I set a poll to close at a specific time instead of a duration?
No. Discord only offers preset durations: 1 hour, 24 hours, 3 days, 7 days, or no expiration. You cannot set a poll to close at a specific time like 3 p.m. on Friday.