You can add emojis directly to your Instagram username on any device
Instagram allows emojis in your username, and the process is the same whether you use a phone or computer. Open Instagram, go to your profile, tap or click "Edit profile," find the username field, and add emojis alongside or instead of letters. The emoji keyboard on your phone works the same way it does in text messages — long-press the space bar on iPhone or tap the emoji button on Android. On a computer, you may need to use your operating system's emoji picker or copy emojis from another source and paste them in.
The main limitation is that Instagram counts emojis as characters. Your username can be up to 30 characters total, and each emoji takes up one or more character slots depending on the emoji. A straightforward smiley face emoji takes one slot, but some complex emojis with skin tone modifiers or combined symbols take two or three. This means adding emojis leaves you less room for letters and numbers.
Key Takeaways
- Emojis work in Instagram usernames on phones and computers, but each emoji uses one or more of your 30 available characters.
- On iPhone, open the emoji keyboard by long-pressing the space bar; on Android, tap the emoji button in your keyboard.
- On a computer, use your system's emoji picker (Windows key + period on Windows, Control + Command + space on Mac) or copy an emoji from a website and paste it into the username field.
- Some emojis display differently or may not work depending on the device and Instagram's current support, so test your username after saving it.
Adding emojis on iPhone and iPad
On iPhone or iPad, the easiest way to add an emoji is to long-press the space bar while you are typing in the username field. This opens the emoji keyboard. Scroll through the categories at the bottom — smileys, animals, food, travel, objects, symbols, and flags — or use the search icon (magnifying glass) to find a specific emoji by typing a word like "star" or "heart."
Tap the emoji you want, and it appears in your username field. You can add as many as you want, as long as you stay under 30 characters total. When you are done, tap "Done" to close the emoji keyboard, then tap the checkmark or "Done" button to save your profile changes.
Adding emojis on Android phones
On Android, the process depends on which keyboard app you use. Most Android keyboards have an emoji button — usually a smiley face icon — somewhere on the keyboard. Tap it to switch to the emoji view. You will see categories across the top or bottom. Tap a category to see emojis in that group, or use the search function if your keyboard has one.
Select the emoji you want, and it inserts into the username field. If your keyboard does not show an emoji button, you may need to enable emoji support in your keyboard settings or read a keyboard app that includes emojis. Google Keyboard (Gboard) and Samsung Keyboard both have built-in emoji support and are free to read from the Google Play Store.
Adding emojis on Windows and Mac computers
On Windows 10 or later, press the Windows key and the period key at the same time to open the emoji picker. A window appears showing emoji categories. Click the category you want, search for an emoji by typing a word, or scroll through the list. Click the emoji to insert it into the username field.
On Mac, press Control, Command, and the space bar together to open the emoji picker. The interface is similar — you can browse by category or search by typing. Click the emoji you want, and it appears in your username field. After you add your emojis, click "Done" or the checkmark to save your profile.
Copying and pasting emojis from websites
If your device does not have a built-in emoji picker or you want to find a specific emoji quickly, you can copy emojis from a website and paste them into your username. Open a browser and search for "emoji picker" or "copy emoji." Websites like Emojipedia, GetEmoji, or Emoji.com let you browse emojis and copy them to your clipboard with one click.
Find the emoji you want, click "Copy," then go back to Instagram, click in the username field, and paste (Control + V on Windows or Command + V on Mac). This method works on phones too — find an emoji on a website, tap and hold to copy it, then switch to Instagram and paste it into your username field.
Understanding character limits with emojis
Instagram usernames can be up to 30 characters long, and emojis count toward this limit. Most straightforward emojis — like smiley faces, hearts, stars, and animals — take up one character slot each. However, some emojis use multiple character slots. Emojis with skin tone modifiers (like a waving hand in a specific skin tone) can take two or three slots. Combined emojis, like a family or a flag made from two regional indicator symbols, also take more space.
If you add an emoji and Instagram tells you that your username is too long, you will need to remove letters, numbers, or other emojis to make room. There is no way to know exactly how many slots an emoji uses until you try it, so if you hit the character limit, try removing one emoji at a time and saving again.
What happens if an emoji does not display correctly
Occasionally, an emoji may display differently on different devices or may not show up at all. This happens because Instagram, your phone, and the person viewing your profile may all have different emoji sets. An emoji that looks like a smiley face on your iPhone might look slightly different on an Android phone, or an older emoji set might not include a newer emoji at all.
After you save your username with emojis, view your profile from another device or ask a friend to check how it looks on their phone. If an emoji does not display the way you wanted, you can edit your profile again and swap it for a different one. Stick with common emojis like smileys, hearts, stars, and animals if you want the best chance that they will display correctly for everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use emojis in my Instagram username if I have a business account?
Yes, emojis work in usernames on business accounts the same way they do on personal accounts. The 30-character limit and the process for adding them are identical. Keep in mind that some people search for accounts by typing the username, so using too many emojis might make your account harder to find.
Will changing my username to include emojis affect my followers or posts?
No. Your followers will still follow you, and all your posts will remain on your account. Changing your username does not delete anything or reset your account. However, anyone who had bookmarked or shared your old username link may need to search for you again.
What if Instagram says my username is invalid when I try to add an emoji?
Instagram may reject certain emojis or combinations of characters. Try removing the emoji and choosing a different one. If the problem continues, you may have hit the 30-character limit — count your letters, numbers, periods, and underscores, and remove some to make room for the emoji.
Can I use emojis in my display name instead of my username?
Yes. Your display name (the name that appears at the top of your profile) has no character limit and allows emojis freely. If you want emojis but need your username to be searchable, put the emojis in your display name and keep your username straightforward with just letters and numbers.