You can add custom emojis to Slack by uploading an image file through your workspace settings

Slack lets you create custom emojis — small images that appear alongside the standard emoji picker when you react to messages or type in chat. You upload an image file (PNG, GIF, or JPG), give it a name, and it becomes available to everyone in your workspace. The process takes about two minutes and requires workspace admin access or permission from someone who has it.

Custom emojis are useful when your team has inside jokes, brand logos, or reactions that don't exist in the standard emoji set. A software team might upload a "deploy" emoji showing a rocket, or a marketing team might add their company mascot. Once created, any member of the workspace can use it by typing a colon, the emoji name, and another colon — the same way you'd type :smile: or :thumbsup:.

Key Takeaways

  • You need workspace admin permissions or a request to someone who has them to add custom emojis to Slack.
  • Image files should be PNG, GIF, or JPG format and work best at 128 by 128 pixels or smaller.
  • Custom emojis are accessed through Workspace Settings, then Emoji, then the option to add a new emoji.
  • Once uploaded, team members use custom emojis by typing a colon, the name you gave it, and another colon in any message.
  • You can upload multiple emojis at once or add them one at a time depending on your Slack plan.

Finding the emoji upload section in Slack

Start by opening Slack on your desktop or web browser — the mobile app does not have the upload option. Click your workspace name in the top left corner, then select Settings & administration from the dropdown menu. Choose Workspace settings.

In Workspace settings, look for the Emoji option in the left sidebar. Click it. You will see a list of custom emojis already in your workspace (if any exist) and a button labeled Add Custom Emoji. This is where you upload new ones. If you do not see the Emoji option, your account does not have admin permissions — ask your workspace owner or admin to add the emoji for you, or request permission to manage emojis.

Preparing your image file

Slack accepts PNG, GIF, and JPG files. The image should be square — 128 by 128 pixels is ideal, but Slack will resize larger images automatically. Keep file size under 64 KB if possible, though Slack accepts larger files. If you are creating an emoji from scratch, use a straightforward design with clear shapes and colors, because the emoji will appear very small in chat (usually 20 by 20 pixels when used).

If you already have an image you want to use, open it in any image editor (Preview on Mac, Photos on Windows, or free tools like Canva or Pixlr online). Crop it to a square, then export it as PNG or JPG. Transparency works in PNG files, so if you want a logo on a transparent background rather than a solid color, save it as PNG.

Uploading and naming your emoji

Click Add Custom Emoji and select your image file from your computer. Slack will show you a preview of how the emoji will look. Next, you will see a text field asking for the emoji name. This is what people type to use it — if you name it party_parrot, someone would type :party_parrot: in a message to use it.

Keep names short, lowercase, and without spaces. Use underscores or hyphens if you need to separate words. Avoid names that are already standard Slack emojis — if you try to name something :smile:, Slack will tell you it already exists. Once you enter the name and confirm, the emoji is live and available to your entire workspace when ready.

Using your custom emoji in messages and reactions

To use a custom emoji in a message, type a colon followed by the emoji name and another colon. For example, if you named your emoji deploy, type :deploy: in the message box. Slack will show you a dropdown list of matching emojis as you type, including your custom one. Click it or press Enter to insert it.

To react to a message with a custom emoji, hover over the message and click the emoji reaction button (it looks like a smiley face). The emoji picker opens. Click the Custom tab at the top to see only your workspace's custom emojis, or search for the emoji name in the search box. Click the emoji to add it as a reaction.

Managing and removing custom emojis

To see all custom emojis in your workspace, go back to Workspace Settings > Emoji. You will see a list with the emoji image, its name, and who created it. If you have admin access, you can click the trash icon next to any emoji to remove it. Removing an emoji does not delete reactions that already exist — messages that used that emoji will still show it, but people cannot add new reactions with it.

If you want to replace an emoji with a new image but keep the same name, delete the old one first, then upload a new one with the same name. Slack does not allow you to overwrite — you must remove and re-add.

Limits and what happens on different Slack plans

Slack's free plan allows unlimited custom emojis, so there is no hard cap on how many you can create. However, free plan workspaces cannot bulk-upload emojis — you add them one at a time. Paid plans (Pro, Business+, Enterprise Grid) also allow one-at-a-time uploads through the web interface, but Enterprise Grid customers can use Slack's API to upload many emojis at once if they have a developer on staff.

All plans allow any workspace member to see and use custom emojis once they are created. The only restriction is who can create them — only workspace owners and admins can upload new emojis unless they grant permission to specific people.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I upload an animated emoji?

Yes, if you upload a GIF file instead of a static image. The animation will play when someone hovers over the emoji or uses it as a reaction. Keep the file size under 64 KB for best results, and test it in your workspace to make sure the animation plays smoothly at the small size it appears in chat.

What if someone else already created the emoji I want to add?

Slack will not let you create two emojis with the same name. If the name is taken, choose a different one — you could add a number or descriptor, like :party_parrot_2: or :party_parrot_large:. You can also ask the person who created it to delete it if it is no longer needed.

Can I use a custom emoji on my personal profile or in direct messages?

Custom emojis work everywhere in your workspace — messages, reactions, threads, direct messages, and channel descriptions. They are workspace-specific, so if you are in multiple Slack workspaces, each one's custom emojis only appear in that workspace.

Do I need admin access to use custom emojis, or just to create them?

You need admin access only to create and upload new emojis. Any workspace member can use custom emojis once they exist — they just type the name or find it in the emoji picker like any other emoji.

What happens if I delete a custom emoji that people are using?

Existing reactions with that emoji stay on messages, but people cannot add new reactions with it. The emoji will no longer appear in the emoji picker. If you delete it by mistake, you can upload it again with the same name and it will be available again.