You can create emojis using design software, online tools, or by submitting proposals to Unicode — but most people use existing emoji sets or design custom ones for specific apps or messaging platforms.

Creating an emoji means designing a small image (usually 64×64 to 128×128 pixels) that conveys meaning in a single visual. The path you take depends on what you want to do with it: use it personally in messages, add it to a website, build it into an app, or propose it as an official Unicode emoji that appears on all devices.

The easiest route for most people is using an online emoji maker — a web tool where you draw or customize a design and download it as an image file. If you want something more polished, you can design it in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, or free alternatives like Inkscape or GIMP. The hardest and longest path is proposing a new emoji to the Unicode Consortium, the international body that decides which emojis appear on iPhones, Android phones, and other devices — that process takes years and requires demonstrating real-world need.

Key Takeaways

  • Online emoji makers like Emoji Kitchen, Bitmoji, or Zepeto let you design and download custom emojis in minutes without design experience.
  • Design software like Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Inkscape, or GIMP gives you full control but requires learning the tool and understanding pixel dimensions.
  • Custom emojis for apps or websites are created as image files (PNG or SVG) and uploaded through the platform's settings or developer tools.
  • Proposing an emoji to Unicode requires submitting a detailed proposal explaining why the emoji fills a gap, and the process typically takes 18 months to three years.
  • Most emojis people use daily are official Unicode emojis already built into their device — creating your own is useful for branding, messaging apps, or niche communities.

Using Online Emoji Makers for Quick Custom Designs

Online emoji makers are the fastest way to create a custom emoji without design skills. Tools like Emoji Kitchen (built into Google Messages on Android) let you combine existing emoji elements to create new ones. Bitmoji lets you design a cartoon avatar and then generates emoji versions of that character in different poses and expressions. Zepeto works similarly, creating a 3D avatar you can turn into sticker packs and emojis.

These tools work in your browser or as apps. You typically choose colors, facial features, or combine elements, then download the result as an image file (usually PNG format). The emoji is then yours to use — you can send it in messages, post it online, or share it with friends. The limitation is that these tools create designs within preset styles, so your emoji will look like others made with the same tool.

For more control over appearance, Emoji.kitchen (a web version of Google's tool) and Picrew (a Japanese site with thousands of avatar creators) let you customize more deeply. Picrew creators often specialize in specific styles — fantasy characters, animals, minimalist designs — so you can find one that matches what you want.

Designing Emojis in Professional Design Software

Adobe Illustrator is the industry standard for emoji design because it handles vector graphics — images made from shapes and curves that scale to any size without losing quality. You start with a new document, set the canvas to 128×128 pixels (a common emoji size), and draw using Illustrator's tools. When finished, you export as PNG (for use on websites and apps) or SVG (a scalable format that works everywhere).

Photoshop works similarly but uses raster graphics (pixels), which means your emoji has a fixed size. If you need it larger later, it will look blurry. Photoshop is better for photorealistic or textured emojis; Illustrator is better for clean, simple designs.

Free alternatives exist: Inkscape is a free vector editor nearly as powerful as Illustrator, and GIMP is a free raster editor similar to Photoshop. Both have learning curves — expect to spend time watching tutorials — but they cost nothing. Figma, a browser-based design tool, is free for basic use and increasingly popular for emoji design because it's collaborative and doesn't require installation.

Once your emoji is designed, export it as a PNG file with a transparent background (so the emoji doesn't have a white square around it). Most platforms accept PNG files up to 512×512 pixels, though smaller sizes (128×128 or 256×256) are standard.

Adding Custom Emojis to Messaging Apps and Websites

If you want your emoji to appear in a specific app or on your website, the process depends on the platform. Slack lets workspace members upload custom emojis through Workspace Settings → Emoji. You upload a PNG file, name it, and it appears in the emoji picker for everyone in that workspace. Discord works the same way: right-click the emoji picker in any server and select "Upload Emoji."

Telegram lets you create custom emoji packs using their Sticker Bot. You design emojis as PNG files, upload them to the bot in a specific order, and the bot generates a shareable link. Anyone who clicks the link can add your emoji pack to their Telegram.

For websites, you upload your emoji PNG to your web server and reference it in your HTML or CSS. If you're using a website builder like Squarespace or WordPress, you upload the image through the media library and insert it where you want it to appear. Some platforms let you use custom emojis in comments or user profiles — check your platform's documentation for the specific steps.

Understanding Unicode and Official Emoji Proposals

The Unicode Consortium is the nonprofit organization that decides which emojis become official — the ones that appear on iPhones, Android phones, Windows, and other devices. Unicode releases new emojis once a year, typically in September. If you want your emoji idea to become an official Unicode emoji, you submit a proposal explaining why it's needed.

The proposal must demonstrate that the emoji fills a real gap. For example, the "folded hands" emoji was approved because it's used across cultures for prayer, gratitude, and greeting. Your proposal should include a name, a description of what it represents, sample use cases, and evidence that people actually want it (social media mentions, petitions, or usage in existing emoji sets). You also need to provide or commission artwork showing how the emoji would look in different styles — Apple's style, Google's style, Microsoft's style, and so on.

The process is slow. Your proposal enters a review queue, gets evaluated by the Emoji Subcommittee, and if approved, moves to the full Unicode Technical Committee. From submission to approval typically takes 18 months to three years. Once approved, it takes another year or more for all device makers to actually implement it — so an emoji approved in 2024 might not appear on all iPhones until 2026.

Most people never need to go through this process. It's useful if you represent an organization, community, or cause that genuinely needs an emoji that doesn't exist — for example, disability advocates have successfully proposed emojis for wheelchairs, hearing aids, and service animals.

Choosing the Right Size and Format for Your Emoji

Emoji size matters because it determines how sharp your design looks on different devices. 64×64 pixels is the minimum for clarity — smaller and details disappear. 128×128 pixels is standard for most apps and websites. 256×256 pixels or larger is useful if you want high-quality versions for print or large displays.

PNG format is the most universal choice. It supports transparent backgrounds (the area around your emoji is invisible, not white), compresses without losing quality, and works on every platform. SVG format is better if you designed in a vector tool like Illustrator or Inkscape — it scales infinitely without losing sharpness, so the same file works at any size.

Avoid JPEG format for emojis — it doesn't support transparency and creates fuzzy edges. GIF works but is outdated for this purpose. If a platform asks for a specific format and you're not sure, PNG is almost always the safe choice.

Common Mistakes When Creating Emojis

The most common mistake is making the emoji too detailed. Emojis are tiny — at 64×64 pixels, fine lines and small text become unreadable. Successful emojis use bold shapes, high contrast, and simple designs. If your emoji looks confusing at actual size, simplify it.

Another mistake is forgetting the transparent background. If you export your emoji with a white or colored background, it will have a square or circle around it when used in messages or on websites. In Photoshop, delete the background layer before exporting. In Illustrator, make sure nothing is behind your emoji design. In GIMP, go to Layer → Transparency → Remove Alpha Channel is not what you want — instead, make sure your background layer is deleted.

A third mistake is not testing at actual size. Design your emoji at 128×128 pixels, but also export it and view it at that size on your phone or computer. What looks fine at 500×500 pixels on your screen might be unreadable at emoji size. Zoom in and check that every part of your design is still clear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use copyrighted characters in my custom emoji?

No — if you design an emoji of Mickey Mouse or a character from a TV show, you're infringing copyright. You can create emojis of original characters you own, or of real people if you have their permission. For Unicode proposals, the emoji must be original or represent something in the public domain.

What's the difference between an emoji and a sticker?

Emojis are small (usually under 256×256 pixels), simple, and meant to be used inline in text — they appear next to words in messages. Stickers are larger, more detailed, and usually stand alone in a message. The creation process is similar, but stickers often come in sets and are designed to tell a story or express complex emotions.

Do I need to pay to use emoji design software?

No — free tools like Inkscape, GIMP, Figma, and online emoji makers work well. Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop cost money (around $20–$55 per month), but they're not necessary unless you're designing professionally. Start with free tools and upgrade only if you need features they don't have.

Can I sell emojis I create?

Yes, if you own the design. You can sell emoji packs on platforms like Gumroad or Etsy, or license them to apps and websites. If you use someone else's artwork or copyrighted characters, you can't sell them. Make sure your design is original or that you have permission from the copyright holder.

How do I make an animated emoji?

Animated emojis are usually GIF or APNG files (animated PNG). You design multiple frames of your emoji in different poses or expressions, then use a tool like Photoshop, GIMP, or free online GIF makers to combine them into a single animated file. Most messaging apps support animated emojis, but not all platforms do — check before spending time on animation.