Adding emojis to Discord is faster than you think
You can add emojis to Discord messages in three ways: use the built-in emoji picker, type emoji codes, or paste emojis directly. The emoji picker is the easiest method for most people — it's a smiley face icon next to the message box that opens a searchable menu. If you know the emoji code (like :smile:), you can type it straight into your message and Discord converts it automatically. On any device, you can also copy an emoji from elsewhere and paste it into Discord.
Discord also lets you add custom emojis that only work in your server, upload your own emoji images, and react to messages with emojis after you've sent them. This guide covers all the standard methods so you can pick the one that fits how you work.
Key Takeaways
- The emoji picker (smiley face icon next to the message box) is the fastest way to find and insert emojis without memorizing codes.
- Typing a colon followed by the emoji name, like :thumbsup:, works if you know the code — Discord shows matching suggestions as you type.
- You can search the emoji picker by keyword, so typing "heart" finds all heart-shaped emojis without scrolling.
- Custom server emojis work the same way as standard emojis but only appear in that specific server.
- Reacting to an existing message uses the same emoji picker and doesn't require editing the original message.
Using the emoji picker to insert emojis into messages
The emoji picker is the built-in menu Discord provides for finding emojis. On desktop, look for the smiley face icon to the right of the message text box (just before the send button). On mobile, the icon appears in the same location. Click or tap it to open the emoji menu.
The menu shows emojis organized by category: smileys, people, animals, food, travel, activities, objects, symbols, and flags. Scroll through any category to browse, or use the search box at the top to find what you want faster. Type a keyword like "heart," "fire," or "laugh" and the picker shows only matching emojis. Once you find the emoji you want, click or tap it and it inserts directly into your message.
The emoji picker remembers your recently used emojis and shows them first, so emojis you use often appear at the top of the menu. This saves time if you have favorite emojis you use repeatedly.
Typing emoji codes to insert emojis faster
If you know the emoji code, typing it is faster than opening the picker. Emoji codes start and end with a colon and use the emoji's name in between. For example, :thumbsup: produces 👍, :fire: produces 🔥, and :laughing: produces 😆. Type the code directly into your message and Discord converts it to the emoji automatically.
As you type a colon and the emoji name, Discord shows you matching suggestions. If you type :th, it suggests :thumbsup:, :thinking:, and other emojis starting with "th". You can click the suggestion or keep typing to narrow it down. This means you don't need to memorize the exact code — Discord helps you find it.
Common emoji codes include :smile:, :heart:, :100: (for 💯), :clap:, :tada:, and :ok_hand:. The code is usually the emoji's obvious name, so most codes are guessable. If you're not sure, the emoji picker is always available as a backup.
Adding reactions to messages with emojis
Reacting to a message means adding an emoji that appears below the message without editing it. Hover over any message on desktop and you'll see a row of icons appear, including a smiley face. Click that smiley face to open the emoji picker. On mobile, press and hold the message, then tap the emoji icon that appears.
Select the emoji you want and it appears as a reaction below the message. Other people in the channel can see your reaction and add the same emoji if they want. If multiple people react with the same emoji, Discord groups them together and shows a count — so if three people react with 👍, you see one thumbs-up icon with a "3" next to it.
You can remove your reaction by clicking it again. If you're the last person to remove that emoji, the reaction disappears entirely from the message.
Using custom server emojis
Servers can upload custom emojis that only work in that server. These appear in the emoji picker under a "Custom" section or with the server name. They work exactly like standard emojis — you can click them in the picker or type their code if you know it. Custom emoji codes follow the same format as standard ones: :customname:.
If a server has custom emojis, the server owner or a moderator uploaded them. You can't upload custom emojis unless you have the "Manage Emojis" permission in that server. If you want to suggest a custom emoji to a server, ask the owner or a moderator directly.
Pasting emojis from other sources
You can copy an emoji from anywhere on the internet and paste it directly into Discord. Find an emoji online, copy it (usually Ctrl+C on Windows or Cmd+C on Mac), click in the Discord message box, and paste it (Ctrl+V or Cmd+V). The emoji appears in your message and sends normally.
This method works on any device and doesn't require knowing codes or using the picker. It's useful if you want an emoji that Discord doesn't have or if you're copying emojis from a list you're looking at. The emoji you paste must be a valid emoji character — random text won't work.
Troubleshooting emojis that don't appear
If you type an emoji code and it doesn't convert, you may have the code wrong. Check that you have a colon before and after the name with no spaces: :thumbsup: works, but : thumbsup : or thumbsup won't. If the code is correct and still doesn't work, the emoji may not exist in Discord's standard set. Try the emoji picker to confirm the emoji exists.
If a custom emoji from a server isn't showing up, you may have left that server or lost access to it. Custom emojis only work in the server where they were uploaded. If you see a broken emoji icon (usually a box or question mark), it means the emoji was deleted from the server or your Discord client needs to refresh. Try closing and reopening Discord.
On older devices or browsers, some emojis may not display correctly because the device doesn't support them. This is rare with modern phones and computers, but if an emoji looks like a box or symbol instead of the intended image, your device may not have that emoji in its system fonts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use emojis in my Discord username or server name?
Yes, you can paste emojis into your username, nickname, server name, and channel names. Type or paste the emoji where you want it, just like in a message. Some servers may have rules about emoji use in names, so check the server guidelines first.
What's the difference between standard emojis and custom emojis?
Standard emojis work everywhere on Discord and on all devices. Custom emojis are uploaded by server owners and only work in that specific server. Both use the same code format and picker, but custom emojis won't work if you try to use them in a different server.
Do emoji reactions count toward message notifications?
No, emoji reactions don't trigger notifications. Only mentions, replies, and direct messages send notifications. You can react to messages without bothering the person who sent them.
Can I make my own custom emojis for my server?
Only people with the "Manage Emojis" permission can upload custom emojis. Usually this is the server owner or moderators. If you want to add a custom emoji, ask someone with that permission to upload it for you.
Why does my emoji code show as text instead of converting?
Check that you have colons on both sides with no spaces, like :fire:. If the code is correct and still shows as text, that emoji code doesn't exist in Discord. Use the emoji picker to find the correct code, or try a different emoji.