You can add emojis to your Discord username on desktop or mobile by copying an emoji and pasting it into your username field
Discord allows most emojis in usernames, though a few are blocked. The process takes about 30 seconds: find an emoji you want, copy it, open your Discord settings, and paste it into the username box. The emoji will display in your profile and in chat next to your messages. Some emojis work better than others — animated emojis don't animate in usernames, and very large or complex ones sometimes display as boxes on older devices.
Your username can mix letters, numbers, and emojis in any order. You can have multiple emojis in one username, but remember that each emoji counts toward your character limit. Discord usernames can be up to 32 characters total, so a username like "alex🎮dev" uses 8 characters (4 letters, 1 emoji, 3 letters).
Key Takeaways
- Copy an emoji from any source (a search engine, emoji picker, or another Discord message) and paste it directly into your username field in User Settings.
- Most standard emojis work, but Discord blocks some symbols and certain Unicode characters, so test your choice before saving.
- Each emoji counts as one or more characters toward your 32-character username limit, so longer emoji names take up more space.
- Your emoji will display the same way to everyone on desktop, but may show as a box or different image on mobile or older devices depending on their system.
Where to find and copy emojis
The easiest source is Emojipedia (emojipedia.org), a searchable database of every emoji. Type what you want — "fire", "star", "gaming" — and click the emoji you like. A copy button appears on the emoji's page. Paste it straight into Discord.
You can also use Google's emoji search: go to google.com, type "emoji" and the name (like "emoji pizza"), and the emoji appears in the search results. Click it to copy. Another option is Emojis.wiki, which shows emojis grouped by category and lets you click to copy.
On Discord itself, you can open the emoji picker (the smiley face icon in the message box) and right-click any emoji, then select "Copy". Paste it into your username. This works for both standard emojis and custom server emojis, though custom emojis only display in servers where they exist — they show as boxes elsewhere.
How to change your username on desktop
Open Discord and click your username or avatar in the bottom left corner. Select User Settings. On the left menu, click Profiles (or Account on older versions). You'll see your current username in a text box.
Click the username field, select all the text, and paste your emoji into it. You can paste the emoji at the start, end, or middle of your name. Click Save Changes at the bottom. Discord will confirm the change, and your new username with the emoji appears when ready in your profile and next to your messages.
How to change your username on mobile
Open the Discord app and tap your avatar at the bottom right. Tap Profile. Tap the pencil icon next to your username to edit it. The keyboard opens with your current username selected.
To paste an emoji, first copy it from Emojipedia or another source. Then tap and hold in the username field and select Paste. The emoji appears in your username. Tap the checkmark or Done to save. The change syncs across all your devices within a few seconds.
Emojis that work and emojis that don't
Most common emojis work fine: faces, objects, animals, food, nature, and activity emojis display without problems. Flags, hearts, stars, and hand gestures work too. The emojis that fail are usually very new Unicode characters that Discord hasn't added support for yet, or certain symbols that Discord intentionally blocks for safety reasons.
If you paste an emoji and it shows as a box or question mark, Discord doesn't support it. Delete it and try a different one. Skin tone modifiers (the small emoji that changes a hand or face color) sometimes cause issues — they may display as separate emojis instead of modifying the one before them. Test your username after saving to see how it looks to others.
Animated emojis (the ones that move in the emoji picker) do not animate in usernames — they display as a still image. Custom server emojis only show correctly in servers where they're defined; in other servers and DMs, they appear as boxes or the emoji name in colons, like `:custom_emoji:`.
What happens if Discord blocks your emoji
If you try to save a username with a blocked emoji, Discord shows an error message saying the username contains invalid characters. You won't be able to save it. Delete the emoji and try a different one, or remove it entirely and save a username without emojis.
Blocked emojis are rare, but they're usually very new Unicode additions or symbols Discord restricts for moderation reasons. If you're unsure whether an emoji will work, paste it and try to save. If it fails, you'll know when ready and can pick another.
How emojis display across devices and servers
Your emoji username displays the same way on Windows, Mac, and Linux Discord clients. On mobile (iOS and Android), the emoji usually looks the same, but the exact appearance depends on your phone's operating system — an iPhone emoji may look slightly different from an Android emoji, even though they're the same character.
In servers, your emoji displays next to your name in chat messages, member lists, and reactions. In direct messages, it shows in the conversation header and message list. If someone is using an older device or an older version of Discord, they may see your emoji as a box or a different image, but this is rare.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use custom server emojis in my username?
You can paste a custom emoji into your username, but it only displays correctly in servers where that emoji exists. In other servers and DMs, it shows as a box or the emoji code. Standard emojis work everywhere, so they're a better choice for your main username.
Do emojis in my username count toward the character limit?
Yes. Most emojis count as one character, but some complex ones (like skin tone modifiers or zero-width joiners) count as multiple characters. Your total username is 32 characters, so a name like "alex🎮dev" uses 8 of those 32 characters.
Will my emoji username work on mobile Discord?
Yes, emojis display on mobile just like they do on desktop. The emoji may look slightly different depending on whether you're on iOS or Android, but it will show up. You can edit your username on mobile the same way you do on desktop.
What if I see my emoji as a box in my own profile?
This usually means your device or browser doesn't support that emoji yet. Try a different emoji, or update your Discord app or operating system. Most standard emojis display correctly on all modern devices.
Can I use spaces and emojis together in my username?
Discord usernames don't allow spaces, but you can use emojis to separate words visually — for example, "alex🎮dev" or "sam⭐artist". This is a common way to make usernames more readable without using spaces.