You can add emojis to Discord channels through server settings, custom emoji uploads, or by using emoji reactions on messages

Discord lets you use emojis in three main ways: the standard emoji keyboard that comes with your device, custom emojis that your server owner uploads, and emoji reactions that appear below messages. Which one you use depends on what you're trying to do. If you want an emoji to appear in your channel name or topic, you'll use your device's emoji keyboard. If you want your server to have its own branded emojis that only members can use there, the server owner uploads those through server settings. If you want to react to a specific message with an emoji, you click the reaction button below it.

The process is straightforward once you know where each option lives. Most of it happens in the same places you'd edit any other server setting.

Key Takeaways

  • You can add standard emojis to channel names and topics using your device's emoji keyboard, the same way you would in any text field.
  • Server owners can upload custom emojis through Server Settings > Emoji, and those emojis become available to all members in that server only.
  • Emoji reactions on individual messages are added by clicking the smiley face icon below any message and selecting an emoji from the menu.
  • Custom emojis on Discord servers can be static images or animated GIFs, and servers have limits based on their boost level.
  • You need server administrator permissions to upload custom emojis, but any member can use reactions or standard emojis in channels.

Adding standard emojis to channel names and descriptions

The easiest way to add an emoji to a Discord channel is to use the emoji keyboard built into your device. Open the channel settings by right-clicking the channel name (on desktop) or long-pressing it (on mobile), then select "Edit Channel." In the channel name field or the topic field, place your cursor where you want the emoji and open your device's emoji keyboard. On Windows, press Windows key + period. On Mac, press Control + Command + Space. On mobile, tap the emoji button on your keyboard. Find the emoji you want and tap it.

The emoji will appear in the channel name or topic immediately. Other members will see it when they look at your channel list or read the channel description. This works with any standard emoji — there's no limit to how many you can add, though too many can make the channel name hard to read.

Uploading custom emojis for your server

If you're a server owner or have administrator permissions, you can upload custom emojis that only members of your server can use. These emojis appear in the emoji picker alongside standard emojis and can be used in messages, reactions, and channel names. To upload them, open your server settings by clicking the server name at the top left, then select "Server Settings." Click "Emoji" in the left sidebar.

Click the "Upload Emoji" button. Select an image file from your computer — Discord accepts PNG, JPG, GIF, and WebP files. The image should be at least 32 pixels wide and tall, though 128 pixels is ideal for clarity. Give the emoji a name (this is what members type to use it, like :myemoji:), then click "Upload." The emoji is now available to all members in that server.

The number of custom emojis you can upload depends on your server's boost level. A server with no boosts can have 50 static emojis and 50 animated ones. Each boost tier increases these limits — a server with 7 boosts can have 250 static and 250 animated emojis. If you've hit your limit, you'll need to delete an existing emoji before uploading a new one.

Using emoji reactions on messages

Emoji reactions let you respond to a specific message with an emoji without typing anything. Hover over any message and click the smiley face icon that appears on the right side (on desktop) or swipe left on the message (on mobile). A menu opens showing recently used emojis and a search box. You can scroll through categories, search for a specific emoji by name, or click the magnifying glass to browse all available emojis.

Once you click an emoji, it appears below the message with a count showing how many people have used that reaction. If someone else reacts with the same emoji, the count goes up. You can remove your reaction by clicking it again. Reactions are useful for quick feedback — a thumbs up for agreement, a laugh emoji for something funny, or a custom server emoji to show support.

Finding and using custom emojis in messages

Once custom emojis are uploaded to your server, you can use them in messages the same way you use standard emojis. Start typing a colon (:) in the message box and the emoji picker opens. Type the emoji's name to search for it — if you uploaded an emoji called "mylogo," type :mylogo: and it will appear. You can also click the emoji icon in the message box to open the full picker and browse by category.

Custom emojis only work within the server where they were uploaded. If you try to use a custom emoji in a direct message or a different server, it will show as text (like :mylogo:) instead of the actual image. This is why servers often upload branded emojis — they're a way to give your community its own visual identity.

Managing emoji permissions and limits

Any member of a server can use standard emojis and custom emojis in messages and reactions, regardless of their role. However, only members with the "Manage Emoji" permission can upload, edit, or delete custom emojis. By default, this permission is given to server administrators and the server owner.

If you want to let other members upload emojis, you can create a custom role with the "Manage Emoji" permission and assign it to them. Open Server Settings > Roles, create a new role, and toggle on "Manage Emoji" under the Emoji permissions section. Then assign that role to the members you trust.

Keep in mind that animated emojis (GIFs) count separately from static ones in your server's limit. A server with no boosts can have 50 of each type. Animated emojis are more visually interesting but take up space faster, so plan accordingly if you're uploading a lot of custom emojis.

Troubleshooting emoji problems

If an emoji isn't showing up in your channel name or topic, the most common reason is that your device's emoji keyboard didn't insert it properly. Try copying and pasting the emoji from a website like emojipedia.org instead. Open the channel settings again, paste the emoji into the name or topic field, and save.

If a custom emoji you uploaded isn't appearing in the emoji picker, check that the file format is correct (PNG, JPG, GIF, or WebP) and that the image is at least 32 pixels wide and tall. If the emoji appears but shows as a broken image, the file may be corrupted — try uploading it again. If you've hit your server's emoji limit, you'll need to delete an old emoji before adding a new one. Go to Server Settings > Emoji, find the emoji you want to remove, and click the trash icon next to it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use emojis from other servers in my messages?

No. Custom emojis only work in the server where they were uploaded. If you try to use them elsewhere, they'll show as text. Standard emojis work everywhere because they're built into your device.

What image formats work for custom emojis?

Discord accepts PNG, JPG, GIF, and WebP files. GIFs become animated emojis. The image should be at least 32 pixels wide and tall, though 128 pixels gives the best quality.

How many custom emojis can I upload?

A server with no boosts can have 50 static and 50 animated emojis. Each server boost increases these limits. A fully boosted server (7 boosts) can have 250 of each type.

Do I need special permissions to use emoji reactions?

No. Any member can add emoji reactions to messages. Only server administrators or members with the "Manage Emoji" permission can upload new custom emojis.

Why is my custom emoji showing as a broken image?

The image file may be corrupted or in an unsupported format. Try uploading it again, or convert it to PNG using an image tool. Make sure the file is at least 32 pixels wide and tall.