The fastest way to add emoji in Slack
You can add emoji to Slack messages in three ways: by typing a colon and the emoji name, by clicking the emoji picker button, or by using your keyboard's emoji menu. The colon method is fastest once you know the name — type :smile: and Slack converts it to 😊. If you don't know the name, click the smiley face icon next to the message box to browse and search emoji by keyword.
Emoji work the same way whether you're on desktop, web, or mobile. The steps below cover desktop and web; mobile uses the same emoji picker but accessed through your keyboard's native emoji menu.
Key Takeaways
- Type a colon followed by the emoji name (like :thumbsup:) to insert emoji directly into messages without opening the picker.
- Click the smiley face icon next to your message box to open the emoji picker and search by keyword or browse by category.
- Emoji reactions on existing messages use the same picker — hover over a message and click the smiley face icon that appears.
- Custom emoji created by your workspace appear in the picker alongside standard emoji and can be used the same way.
- Slack remembers your recently used emoji and shows them first in the picker for faster access.
Using the colon method to type emoji names
The colon method is the quickest once you learn a few names. Start typing a message, then type a colon followed by letters. Slack shows matching emoji names as you type. For example, type :th and you'll see :thumbsup:, :thumbsdown:, and :thinking: appear as suggestions. Click the one you want or keep typing to narrow it down.
Common emoji names follow patterns you can guess: :smile:, :laughing:, :heart:, :fire:, :100:, :tada:, :wave:. If you use the same emoji often, Slack learns it and shows it higher in suggestions. You don't need to remember exact names — start typing and the suggestions will guide you.
The colon method works in any message field: direct messages, channel messages, threaded replies, and even in the search box. It does not work in message edits after you've already sent the message — you'll need the picker for that.
Opening the emoji picker to search and browse
Click the smiley face icon to the right of your message box. A panel opens showing emoji organized by category: smileys, people, food, travel, activities, objects, symbols, and flags. At the top is a search box. Type any word — "happy", "party", "cat", "celebration" — and Slack shows matching emoji. Your recently used emoji appear at the very top for one-click access.
The picker stays open while you type, so you can add multiple emoji to one message. Click each emoji you want, and it inserts into your message at the cursor position. If you want to add emoji to a message you've already sent, hover over the message and click the smiley face icon that appears — this opens the same picker, but it adds a reaction instead of editing the message.
On mobile, tap the message box, then look for the emoji icon in your keyboard menu. This opens your phone's native emoji keyboard, which works the same way as the desktop picker.
Adding emoji reactions to existing messages
Reactions are emoji attached to a message without changing the message text. Hover over any message in a channel or direct message, and a row of icons appears. Click the smiley face icon on the right end of that row. The emoji picker opens. Click any emoji to add it as a reaction. The emoji appears below the message with a count if others add the same reaction.
You can add multiple reactions to the same message. Click the smiley face icon again to add another. If you want to remove a reaction you added, click it again and it disappears. Other people's reactions stay in place — you can only remove your own.
Reactions are useful for quick feedback without writing a message: thumbs up for agreement, laughing emoji for funny messages, or a custom emoji your team uses for "I'll handle this". They keep conversations cleaner than text replies for simple acknowledgments.
Using custom emoji your workspace created
Workspaces can create custom emoji — images your team uploads that work like standard emoji. These appear in the emoji picker alongside built-in emoji and can be used the same way. Custom emoji names usually follow your team's inside jokes or brand — :company_logo:, :fail_whale:, :pizza_party:. If your workspace has custom emoji, they show in the picker under a "custom" section or mixed into the main categories.
You can use custom emoji with the colon method too. Type : and start typing the custom emoji name. Slack suggests it just like standard emoji. Custom emoji work in messages, reactions, and even in your profile status.
If you don't see a custom emoji you know exists, it may have been deleted or renamed. Ask your workspace admin or check the emoji list in your workspace settings — click your workspace name at the top left, then go to Settings & administration > Manage > Emoji to see the full list.
Fixing common emoji problems
If you type :smile: and it doesn't convert to an emoji, you may have typed the name wrong or the colon didn't register. Check that you typed a colon (not a semicolon) and that the name matches exactly. The suggestion dropdown should appear as you type — if it doesn't, the name is incorrect. Delete and try again, or use the picker instead.
If emoji appear as boxes or question marks, your device or browser doesn't support that emoji. This is rare on modern devices but can happen with very new emoji on older phones. The message still sent correctly — other people see the emoji fine. Update your device or browser to fix it.
If the emoji picker won't open, try refreshing your browser or restarting the Slack app. If custom emoji aren't showing, you may not have permission to use them — ask your workspace admin. If you're on a very old version of Slack, some emoji features may not be available — update Slack to the latest version.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use emoji in my Slack username or profile?
Yes. Click your profile picture in the top right, then click "Profile". Edit your display name or full name to include emoji using the colon method. You can also add an emoji as your profile picture by uploading an image file. Emoji in your name appear in all messages and mentions.
What's the difference between typing emoji and adding reactions?
Typing emoji puts them in your message text — they're part of what you wrote. Reactions are emoji attached below a message without changing the message itself. Use typed emoji when the emoji is part of your message, and reactions for quick feedback or voting.
Do emoji work the same way in threads?
Yes. Threaded replies use the same emoji picker and colon method as regular messages. Reactions work on threaded messages too — hover over a reply and click the smiley face icon to add a reaction to that specific reply.
Can I search for emoji by how they look instead of their name?
The emoji picker has a search box at the top. Type any word related to what you're looking for — "happy", "animal", "food", "celebration" — and Slack shows matching emoji. You don't need to know the exact emoji name to find it this way.
What happens if I use an emoji that doesn't exist?
If you type a colon and a name that doesn't match any emoji, Slack won't convert it. The text stays as you typed it — :notreal: appears as plain text in your message. Use the picker or check the suggestion dropdown to confirm the emoji name is correct.