To make Discord emojis, you need the correct permissions and an image file that meets Discord's size and format rules.
What you need before making Discord emojis
You must be the server owner or have a role with the "Create Expressions" or "Manage Emojis and Stickers" permission enabled to add custom emojis. The "Manage Emojis and Stickers" permission is all-or-nothing, meaning you cannot grant upload-only access without also allowing deletion. Every Discord server can add up to 50 static custom emojis by default. Servers with Discord Nitro or Nitro Basic subscriptions can add an additional 50 animated custom emojis, for a total of 100 custom emojis. Server Boosts further increase the emoji limit: Level 1 allows up to 100 standard and 100 animated emojis, Level 2 up to 150 of each, and Level 3 up to 250 of each. Discord can remove emojis that violate their content guidelines, which prohibit explicit sexual content, hate speech, violence, gore, or copyrighted or trademarked content without permission.
Discord emoji requirements: size, format, and naming rules
Custom emojis must be under 256KB in file size for both static and animated uploads. Supported file formats include JPEG, PNG, GIF, and WebP. While 128x128 pixels is the recommended dimension for optimal results, Discord can automatically resize images if they are larger or smaller; emojis are typically displayed at 32x32 pixels in chat. Emoji names must be at least 2 characters long and can only contain alphanumeric characters and underscores; spaces or special characters are not allowed.
How to make Discord emojis on desktop (PC or Mac)
You can upload custom emojis through Server Settings or directly from the Emoji Picker.
- Open Discord and select the server where you want to add the emoji.
- Click the drop-down menu next to the server name, then choose "Server Settings."
- Select the "Emoji" tab from the left column.
- Click "Upload Emoji."
- Choose an image file from your computer. When uploading, you can customize your emoji by resizing, rotating, or zooming, and give it a name.
- Click "Open" to upload.
Alternatively, you can upload emojis directly from the Emoji Picker on Discord's desktop app and browser using the "Add Emoji" button, which opens Emoji Studio for cropping and naming. You can also upload emojis by using the Emoji Picker's 'Add Emoji' button, which opens Emoji Studio; this feature is not available on mobile.
How to upload animated Discord emojis
Animated emojis (GIF format) are uploaded the same way as static emojis. Follow the same steps in Server Settings or the Emoji Picker, selecting a GIF file under 256KB. Animated emoji slots require Discord Nitro or Nitro Basic, and Server Boosts increase the animated limit as described above.
How to make Discord emojis on mobile
To upload custom emojis from a mobile device, use a browser with desktop mode to access Server Settings.
- Open your mobile browser and go to Discord.
- Tap the browser menu icon and select "Desktop Site" to switch to desktop view.
- Log in to your Discord account.
- Select a server from the left side of the screen.
- Tap the arrow next to the server name, then tap the gear icon for "Server Settings."
- Tap the "Emoji" tab in the left column.
- Tap "Upload Emoji," then choose "Gallery" or "Documents" to select an image from your phone.
- Give the emoji a name and confirm the upload.
Creating a folder with all your emojis ready for upload makes it easier to find them on your mobile device. You can store your folder in either Documents or Gallery.
How to use your custom Discord emojis
Custom emojis are only usable on the server where they were uploaded by default. Discord Nitro or Nitro Basic is required to use custom emojis from one server in other servers, groups, or DMs. This cross-server usage also applies to any custom emojis and custom keyboards you might set up for quick access. To use or change skin tones, type the emoji name in the form :emoji_name:, add a semicolon alongside the skin tone of your choice, then end with another semicolon (e.g., :ok_hand::skin-tone-3:).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I upload an emoji downloaded from another Discord server?
No. Attempting to upload an emoji that was already uploaded to another Discord server will result in an error message. Never try uploading an emoji downloaded from another Discord server. You will get an error message if you do so.
What happens if my emoji image is not exactly 128x128 pixels?
Discord can automatically resize images that are larger or smaller than 128x128 pixels, but using the recommended size gives the best visual results.
Can I delete a custom emoji after uploading it?
Yes, if you have the "Manage Emojis and Stickers" permission, you can delete any custom emoji on the server. This permission is all-or-nothing, so you cannot have upload-only access without delete access.
Do animated emojis use the same file size limit as static ones?
Yes, both static and animated emojis must be under 256KB in file size.
Can I use custom emojis from other servers without Nitro?
No. Without a Nitro subscription, you can only use custom emojis that are uploaded to the server where you are currently chatting.
