How to make custom emojis in Slack
Custom emojis are a fun way to personalize your Slack workspace and reinforce your team's brand or culture. This guide walks you through uploading your own custom emoji in just a few clicks, so you can add personality to your messages and reactions.
Quick summary
In this tutorial, you'll learn how to create and upload a custom emoji in Slack. You'll navigate to your workspace settings, select the emoji upload option, choose your image file, and save your new emoji so it's available to all workspace members.
Why this matters
Custom emojis strengthen team identity and make communication more expressive and memorable. They can represent inside jokes, company values, or branded mascots, helping your team feel more connected and making Slack conversations more visually engaging.
Step-by-step guide
- 1
Select your workspace
Click on your workspace name (in this example, 'Megatron') at the top of the Slack interface. This ensures you're customizing emojis for the correct workspace.
- 2
Open workspace settings
Click on the indicated menu or settings option to access your workspace administration panel. You'll need admin or workspace owner permissions to manage custom emojis.
- 3
Navigate to emoji management
Click on 'Add Emoji' to access the custom emoji upload interface. This is where you'll upload your new custom emoji image.
- 4
Select upload image option
Click on 'Upload Image' to open your file browser. You can now select an image file from your computer to use as your custom emoji.
- 5
Choose your emoji image
Select the image file you want to use as your custom emoji. For best results, use a square image file in PNG, JPG, or GIF format, typically 128x128 pixels or larger.
- 6
Save your custom emoji
Click on 'Save' to confirm and upload your custom emoji. The emoji will be processed and made available to all members of your workspace.
- 7
Confirm emoji creation
Click to verify the emoji has been successfully added to your workspace. You may be prompted to name your emoji or select additional options.
- 8
Complete the upload process
Follow any final prompts or confirmations to finalize the emoji addition. Your custom emoji is now ready to use in messages and reactions.
- 9
Return to workspace
Click to exit the emoji management panel and return to your main Slack workspace. Your new custom emoji will appear in the emoji picker alongside standard Slack emojis.
- 10
Start using your emoji
Click on the emoji picker in any message or reaction field to find and use your newly created custom emoji. It will be labeled with the name you assigned during setup.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about how to make custom emojis in slack.
What image formats work best for custom emojis?
Slack supports PNG, JPG, and GIF formats for custom emojis. PNG is recommended for best quality and transparency support. Images should ideally be square and at least 128x128 pixels to ensure they look sharp when displayed at various sizes.
Who can create custom emojis in Slack?
By default, workspace admins and owners can manage custom emojis. However, workspace administrators can adjust these permissions to allow regular members to add emojis as well. Check your workspace's emoji management settings to see if you have the necessary permissions.
Can I rename a custom emoji after uploading it?
Yes, you can rename custom emojis by returning to the workspace emoji management settings and editing the emoji's name. This is useful if you want to update the emoji's identifier or make it easier for team members to find and remember.
What's the maximum file size for custom emoji uploads?
Slack typically accepts emoji image files up to 64KB in size. If your image exceeds this limit, compress it or reduce its dimensions before uploading. Most properly optimized square images will fit well within this size restriction.
Are custom emojis visible to all workspace members?
Yes, once uploaded, custom emojis are automatically available to all members of your workspace. They appear in the emoji picker and can be used by anyone in messages, reactions, and status updates, making them a shared team resource.