Add emoji to Slack in three ways: type them directly in messages, react to messages with a single emoji, or upload custom emoji your workspace can use

The fastest way to add emoji to a message is to type a colon, the emoji name, and another colon — like :smile: or :thumbsup: — and Slack converts it to the actual emoji as you type. You can also click the emoji icon next to the message box to open a picker and select from thousands of emoji. To react to someone else's message with a single emoji, hover over their message, click the smiley face icon, and choose the emoji you want. Custom emoji work the same way once they're uploaded, but only people in your workspace can see them.

Each method takes less than a second once you know where to look. Most people use the colon code method because it is fastest, but the picker is better when you are browsing for ideas or do not remember the exact name. Reactions let you respond without adding text to the conversation, which keeps channels cleaner and easier to read.

Key Takeaways

  • Type a colon followed by the emoji name and another colon (like :wave:) to insert emoji directly into messages without opening any menu.
  • Click the emoji icon button next to the message box to open a searchable picker where you can browse and select emoji by category.
  • Hover over any message and click the smiley face icon to add a single emoji reaction that appears below the message.
  • Workspace owners and admins can upload custom emoji through Slack's settings, and they work exactly like built-in emoji once uploaded.
  • Emoji names are usually straightforward — :fire:, :rocket:, :tada: — and Slack shows suggestions as you type.

Type emoji codes directly into your message

The quickest method is typing the emoji code while you write. Start with a colon, type the name of the emoji you want, and end with another colon. Slack recognizes the code and shows you a list of matching emoji as you type. For example, :thumbs will show you thumbs-up and thumbs-down options. Press Enter or click the emoji you want, and it converts to the actual emoji in your message.

This method works because emoji names are usually simple words: :smile:, :fire:, :rocket:, :tada:, :wave:. If you are not sure of the exact name, start typing what you think and Slack's suggestions will guide you. You can type emoji codes anywhere in your message — at the beginning, middle, or end — and they convert the same way. The suggestions appear in a small dropdown, so you can see what Slack thinks you mean before you finish typing.

Use the emoji picker to browse and search

If you prefer not to memorize codes, click the emoji icon (a smiley face) next to the message box at the bottom of Slack. This opens the emoji picker, which shows emoji organized by category: smileys, people, food, nature, objects, symbols, and flags. You can scroll through each category or use the search box at the top to find what you want by typing a word like "party" or "celebration".

The picker also shows your recently used emoji at the top, so emoji you use often appear first. Once you find the emoji you want, click it and it inserts into your message at the cursor position. This method is useful when you want to browse options or are not sure what emoji exist for a particular idea. The search works on emoji names and descriptions, so typing "happy" will show you smiling faces even if you do not know their exact names.

React to messages with a single emoji

To add an emoji reaction to someone else's message — without typing a full reply — hover your mouse over their message and look for the smiley face icon that appears on the right side. Click it to open a small picker showing the most common emoji. Click the emoji you want, and it appears as a reaction below the message with a count of how many people chose that emoji.

If the emoji you want is not in the quick picker, click the plus sign at the end of the reaction row to open the full emoji picker. This is the same picker you use for typing messages, so you can search or browse by category. Reactions are a way to acknowledge or respond to a message without cluttering the conversation with text replies. Multiple people can add the same reaction, and Slack groups them together and shows a number next to each one.

Upload custom emoji for your workspace

Workspace owners and admins can upload custom emoji that only people in that workspace can use. To do this, go to the workspace name at the top left, click it, and select Customize Slack. Then click Emoji in the left menu. Click Add Custom Emoji and upload an image file (PNG, GIF, or JPG work best). Give the emoji a name — like companylogo or teamcelebration — and click Save.

Once uploaded, custom emoji work exactly like built-in emoji. Anyone in the workspace can type the colon code (like :companylogo:) or find it in the emoji picker. Custom emoji are useful for inside jokes, company branding, or team-specific symbols that standard emoji do not cover. Image files should be square and at least 128 pixels wide for the best quality. If your image is too small, Slack will warn you before you save.

Troubleshoot emoji that do not appear

If you type an emoji code and it does not convert, you may have misspelled the name. Delete the code and start over, watching for Slack's suggestions as you type. Some emoji have alternate names — for example, :thumbsup: and :+1: both work for the thumbs-up emoji — so try a different variation if the first one does not work. Slack will show you the alternatives in the dropdown as you type.

If custom emoji are not showing up, make sure you are in the correct workspace where they were uploaded. Custom emoji only appear in the workspace where they were created, not in other workspaces you are part of. If you still cannot find a custom emoji, ask your workspace admin to confirm it was uploaded successfully and that you have permission to use it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use emoji on mobile Slack?

Yes. On mobile, tap the emoji icon next to the message box to open the picker, or type the colon code the same way you would on desktop. Reactions work the same way — long-press a message and tap the smiley face icon to add a reaction.

What if I want to use an emoji that is not built in?

Ask your workspace admin to upload a custom emoji. Only workspace owners and admins can upload custom emoji, but once uploaded, everyone in the workspace can use it by typing its code or finding it in the picker.

Do emoji codes work the same in all Slack workspaces?

Built-in emoji codes work the same everywhere. Custom emoji only work in the workspace where they were uploaded. If you switch workspaces, you will see the same standard emoji but not custom emoji from other workspaces.

Can I remove or rename a custom emoji?

Only workspace admins can remove or rename custom emoji. Go to Customize Slack, click Emoji, find the custom emoji in the list, and click the trash icon to remove it or the pencil icon to rename it.