Symbols · Emoji 2.0

*️⃣Keycap: * Emoji

Basically, when someone sends you *️⃣ in a text, they just want to use the asterisk symbol. It's like they’re pointing something out or adding a little extra emphasis to their message.

The *️⃣ emoji is actually a keycap, specifically an asterisk.

Download PNG / SVG
Unicode
U+002A U+FE0F U+20E3
Released
2015
Shortcode
:keycap_star:
Skin tones
No
U+002A +2Your device
*️⃣

01 — Meaning

What does the *️⃣ Keycap: * emoji mean?

In plain english
Basically, when someone sends you *️⃣ in a text, they just want to use the asterisk symbol. It's like they’re pointing something out or adding a little extra emphasis to their message. *️⃣ sits in black emojis, where it is listed next to everything used the same way. It also turns up in white emojis and dark emojis.
Where it comes from
The *️⃣ emoji is actually a keycap, specifically an asterisk. It’s used to represent the asterisk symbol itself. People use it when they want to highlight something, often playfully or ironically. It can show surprise, emphasis, or even a bit of mischief. You'll see it pop up in memes, comments, and casual texts.

02 — Platforms

Keycap: * emoji on iPhone, Android, WhatsApp and X

Same code on both ends, different drawing on each screen — here is the keycap: * as 3 vendors ship it.

Keycap: * emoji on Apple
AppleiPhone, iPad, macOS
Keycap: * emoji on Google
GoogleAndroid, Gmail, Chrome
Keycap: * emoji on Twitter / X
Twitter / XX, Discord, Twemoji apps

See the whole set the way each system draws it — iPhone emojis, Android emojis, WhatsApp emojis and Discord emojis.

03 — Copy & codes

Keycap: * emoji copy and paste

Tap any value to copy it. The emoji itself works everywhere, the escapes are for your code, and the shortcode Slack and Discord expect is :keycap_star:.

All emoji copy and paste →

In your code

Different notation, one result: whichever escape you paste, what comes out is U+002A.

04 — How to type

How to type the *️⃣ Keycap: * emoji

Where the emoji key lives on each system — and the codes for when there is no picker at all.

iPhone & iPad
Tap the smiley or globe key at the bottom-left of the keyboard, then search “keycap: *”. No emoji key? Settings → General → Keyboard → Keyboards → Add New Keyboard → Emoji.
Android
On Gboard tap the smiley key, or long-press the Enter or comma key. On Samsung Keyboard the emoji button sits behind the gear icon.
Windows & Mac
Windows: press Win + . for the emoji panel. Mac: Control + Command + Space. Then type “keycap: *”.
Slack & Discord
Type the shortcode :keycap_star: and it converts to *️⃣ as you send. The full set is on the Discord emoji page.
Websites & code
In HTML use *️⃣, in CSS \2A\FE0F\20E3, in JavaScript \u{2A}\u{FE0F}\u{20E3}.
No picker to hand? The online emoji keyboard works in any browser, and every character on the site is listed on emoji copy and paste.

05 — Download

Keycap: * emoji PNG and SVG

Grab the keycap: * as transparent PNG or SVG. Each system ships its own drawing, and the licence stays with the vendor, all 3 of them.

Emoji PNG library →
Download Keycap: * emoji, Apple style Apple PNG · 160px Download Keycap: * emoji, Google style Google PNG · 160px Download Keycap: * emoji, Twitter / X style Twitter / X SVG vector

06 — Combinations

Keycap: * emoji combinations

Ready-made combos built around keycap: * for bios, captions and comments. Tap to copy.

All combinations →
Cool keycap: * combos
Flex keycap: * combos
Aesthetic keycap: * combos
Cute keycap: * combos
Dark keycap: * combos
Party keycap: * combos
Love keycap: * combos
Mood keycap: * combos
Unhinged keycap: * combos
Soft keycap: * combos
Late night keycap: * combos
Summer keycap: * combos
Gaming keycap: * combos
Y2K keycap: * combos

Want two emojis fused into one sticker instead of set side by side? Emoji Kitchen does that for every pair Google has drawn, and there are more ready-made pairs in emoji combinations and aesthetic emoji combos.

07 — In conversation

What *️⃣ means from a girl or a guy

Same emoji, different intent depending on who sent it and what came before.

From a girl
When a girl sends you *️⃣, it’s often a playful way to tease you or express a little bit of playful frustration. Sometimes it can just be a random thing she saw and thought was funny, but it often carries a lighthearted, slightly sassy tone.
From a guy
A guy sending *️⃣ can mean a few things. It could be genuine emphasis, like he really wants you to notice something. Alternatively, it can be a bit of a jokey reaction, especially if he's playfully teasing you.
How to reply
If someone sends you *️⃣, you could reply with: “Seriously? *️⃣” or “You’re a wild one *️⃣” or “Okay, okay *️⃣” or “I see you *️⃣”.
Used in a sentence

08 — Apps

What *️⃣ means on TikTok, WhatsApp and Discord

One code point, several readings — where the keycap: * lands changes how it is taken.

TikTok & Instagram
Basically, when someone sends you *️⃣ in a text, they just want to use the asterisk symbol. It's like they’re pointing something out or adding a little extra emphasis to their message. In comments and captions it is read the same way — the tone comes from what it sits next to.
WhatsApp
WhatsApp draws *️⃣ with Apple-style artwork on every phone, so it looks identical for both sides. A message with only *️⃣ in it is shown enlarged.
Discord & Slack
Both accept the shortcode :keycap_star:. Discord renders Twemoji, so *️⃣ looks different there than on your phone.
Outlook & email
Outlook has no emoji picker on desktop — press Win + . or Control + Command + Space inside the message body, or paste *️⃣ from the copy button above.

10 — Difference

*️⃣ vs 7️⃣ — what is the difference?

Two emojis that get mixed up constantly. They are different characters with different names.

*️⃣ Keycap: *

Unicode name: Keycap: *

Code: U+002A U+FE0F U+20E3 · added 2015

Shortcode: :keycap_star:

Basically, when someone sends you *️⃣ in a text, they just want to use the asterisk symbol.

7️⃣ Keycap: 7

Unicode name: Keycap: 7

Code: U+0037 U+FE0F U+20E3 · added 2010

Shortcode: :seven:

Generally, 7️⃣ is used to directly refer to the number seven.

Open 7️⃣ Keycap: 7 →

11 — History

Where the *️⃣ Keycap: * emoji came from

Approved as part of Emoji 2.0, the keycap: * has been on phones for years now — counting from its release, 11.

2015
Added to the standard

Keycap: * was approved as U+002A U+FE0F U+20E3 and shipped in Emoji 2.0 (2015). Phones usually get new artwork about a year after approval, in a system update.

Today
Drawn 3 different ways

Every vendor keeps its own artwork, so *️⃣ is redrawn by Apple, Google, Twitter / X. The character you send never changes — only the picture does.

12 — FAQ

Keycap: * emoji — questions people actually ask

What does the *️⃣ Keycap: * emoji mean?
Basically, when someone sends you *️⃣ in a text, they just want to use the asterisk symbol. It's like they’re pointing something out or adding a little extra emphasis to their message.
What does *️⃣ mean from a girl?
When a girl sends you *️⃣, it’s often a playful way to tease you or express a little bit of playful frustration. Sometimes it can just be a random thing she saw and thought was funny, but it often carries a lighthearted, slightly sassy tone.
What does *️⃣ mean from a guy?
A guy sending *️⃣ can mean a few things. It could be genuine emphasis, like he really wants you to notice something. Alternatively, it can be a bit of a jokey reaction, especially if he's playfully teasing you.
How do you reply to the *️⃣ emoji?
If someone sends you *️⃣, you could reply with: “Seriously? *️⃣” or “You’re a wild one *️⃣” or “Okay, okay *️⃣” or “I see you *️⃣”.
What is the Unicode code for *️⃣?
The Keycap: * emoji is U+002A U+FE0F U+20E3, added in Emoji 2.0 (2015). In HTML you can write it as *️⃣, and in CSS as \2A\FE0F\20E3.
How do I copy and paste the *️⃣ emoji?
Tap the copy button at the top of this page — *️⃣ goes straight to your clipboard and pastes into Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp, Discord or any text field. You can also copy its shortcode :keycap_star: for Slack and Discord.
Does *️⃣ look the same on every phone?
No. Keycap: * is drawn separately by each vendor — Apple, Google and Twitter / X all ship their own artwork for U+002A. The character you send is identical; only the picture changes.