How to add custom emojis to your Discord server
3 min read · Updated
The short version
Open Server Settings, choose Emoji, and press Upload Emoji. A server without boosts can hold 50 still and 50 animated emojis. Each file must be 256 KB or smaller.
On this page
Custom emojis are small pictures your members can use in messages and reactions: an inside joke, your mascot, a reaction face everyone ends up using. They are one of the easiest ways to give a server its own character.
How many emojis can a server have?
| Server | Still emojis | Animated emojis |
|---|---|---|
| No boosts | 50 | 50 |
| Boost level 1 | 100 | 100 |
| Boost level 2 | 150 | 150 |
| Boost level 3 | 250 | 250 |
Anyone can use a server’s still emojis inside that server. Using animated emojis, or using a server’s emojis in another server, needs Discord Nitro.
How do I add custom emojis?
- Find or make your emojis. Draw your own, or browse a library of free ones. Discadia’s emoji library lets you search by theme, such as “anime” or “memes”.
- Download the ones you like. PNG and JPG work for still emojis, GIF for animated ones. Keep each file at 256 KB or smaller. A square picture of about 128 × 128 pixels looks best.
- Open the emoji settings (steps for computer and phone below).
- Press Upload Emoji and pick your files. You can select several at once.
- Give each one a name. The name is what people type between colons, like
:hypecat:. Use letters, numbers and underscores, at least two characters.
On a computer
- Click your server’s name at the top left.
- Click Server Settings.
- Click Emoji.
On a phone
- Tap your server’s name at the top.
- Tap Settings.
- Tap Emoji.
Who can upload?
The server owner, and anyone with the Create Expressions permission. Removing or renaming other people’s emojis needs Manage Expressions.
How do I use my new emojis?
Type the name between colons (:hypecat:), or pick it from the emoji button next to the message box. Your server’s emojis have their own section there. They work in messages and as reactions.
What can go wrong?
- The upload is refused. The file is over 256 KB. Make the picture smaller.
- The server is full. Remove an emoji you do not use, or boost the server.
- An emoji was removed. Only upload pictures you are allowed to use. Emojis that break Discord’s rules can be removed, and so can the server.
Why bother?
People stay in servers that feel alive, and a set of emojis that only your server has is a cheap way to get there. If you bring in new members by bumping, this is part of what makes them stay. Read how to grow a Discord server.
Quick answers
How many emojis can a Discord server have?
A server with no boosts can hold 50 still and 50 animated emojis. Boost level 1 raises that to 100 of each, level 2 to 150 and level 3 to 250.
What size should a Discord emoji be?
The file must be 256 KB or smaller. A square image of about 128 × 128 pixels is ideal: Discord shrinks it to fit a line of text.
Your next step
A server with character is easier to advertise. See how to bring people in.
How to grow a Discord server