Unicode category
Smiley and emotion emojis
Every face in Unicode — smiling, crying, sleeping, unwell, in costume — with what each one actually means in a chat.
172emojis · tap any to copy
Overview
This is the largest group in Unicode: every face, from a polite smile to full collapse, plus cats, monkeys and costumes. It is also where meaning drifts fastest — half of these read completely differently than they did five years ago.
If you are looking for one specific reaction, search is faster than scrolling. Each face has its own page with what it means, what it means coming from different people, and how to answer it.
01 — The set
Smiley & Emotion Emojis copy and paste
Tap an emoji to copy it, or open it for the meaning, platform designs and codes.
Face smiling 15 emojis
Face affection 9 emojis
Face concerned 27 emojis
Face sleepy 6 emojis
Face tongue 6 emojis
Face neutral skeptical 16 emojis
Face negative 8 emojis
Face unwell 12 emojis
Face hand 7 emojis
Face costume 8 emojis
Cat face 9 emojis
Emotion 15 emojis
Heart 25 emojis
02 — Meanings
Smiley & Emotion Emojis and their meanings
What each one actually says in a chat — the reading, not the dictionary name.
Generally, 😀 means you’re happy and feeling good about something.
Generally, 😃 means someone is happy and excited.
Generally, 😄 means you’re happy and smiling.
Generally, 😁 just means someone is happy and smiling.
It usually means you find something funny.
Generally, 😅 means you’re feeling a bit relieved and amused, often after something slightly awkward or stressful.
It usually just means something is really funny to the person sending it.
It means you find something super funny.
Generally, 🥲 means you're feeling a mix of happy and a little sad or emotional.
Basically, it means they're feeling super emotional and a little bit overwhelmed with happiness.
Generally, it just means someone is smiling and feels happy or pleased.
It usually just means they're smiling and feeling happy.
Generally, when someone sends you 😇, they mean they think you’re a good person.
It usually just means they're feeling alright and are responding positively.
Generally, 🙃 means you’re being a little sarcastic or silly.
Basically, it means they're smiling and winking, like they’re sharing a little secret or joke with you.
Usually, it just means someone is feeling calm and relaxed.
😍 means someone is really, really happy and excited about something.
🥰 means you're feeling really happy and loving.
Generally, it means someone is showing affection and a little bit of flirtation.
Generally, 😗 means someone is expressing a sweet or affectionate feeling.
Generally, 😙 means someone is expressing affection, like they think you're cute or that they like you a little.
Generally, 😚 means someone is feeling affectionate or cute.
Generally, 😋 means something is tasty or delicious.
Generally, 😛 means someone is being playful and a little silly.
Basically, it means you’re feeling amused or playfully teasing.
Basically, it means you're joking around and having a good time.
It usually means someone is questioning something or doesn’t believe it.
Generally, it means “I’m thinking about that” or “That’s interesting.”
Generally, 🤓 means someone is acknowledging they're being a little nerdy or that they're intelligent about something.
Generally, it means you think something is cool or impressive.
Basically, it’s a funny way to say “I’m pretending” or “I’m being sneaky.”
Generally, when someone sends you 🤩, they’re just expressing that they think something is awesome and they want to share that excitement with you.
Generally, it just means someone is excited about a party or celebration.
Basically, it means someone is trying to appear cool, confident, or a little bit cheeky.
It usually means the person is feeling slightly annoyed or unimpressed with what was just said or done.
It usually just means someone is feeling sad or disappointed about something that happened.
Generally, 😔 means someone is feeling sad, thoughtful, or a little down.
Basically, it means someone is feeling worried or concerned.
Generally, 😕 means someone is feeling confused or doesn’t understand something.
Generally, 🙁 means you’re feeling a little sad, disappointed, or unhappy.
Generally, it means someone is feeling sad or upset.
It usually means you're having a difficult time and trying to get through it.
It usually means someone is feeling confused, frustrated, or overwhelmed.
Generally, 😫 means you're feeling really tired or overwhelmed.
😩 means the weary face emoji.
It generally means you’re feeling a little sad, vulnerable, or like you’re asking for something.
Generally, it means someone is feeling sad or upset.
It usually means someone is crying or feeling very sad.
Basically, it means someone is feeling really frustrated or angry.
Generally, 😠 means someone is angry or annoyed.
Generally, 😡 means someone is angry or upset.
🤬 means a face with a furious red mouth.
Basically, it means something is so shocking or amazing that it feels like your mind is exploding.
Basically, it means someone is feeling a bit embarrassed or shy.
Generally, the 🥵 emoji just means someone is feeling hot – whether physically or emotionally.
Basically, it means someone is incredibly scared, shocked, or surprised.
It usually means someone is feeling scared, shocked, or surprised.
03 — Most used
The smiley emojis people actually send
Ranked by how often they are used, not by Unicode order. Every vendor draws them differently — this is what your message looks like on the other side.
All popular emojis →
04 — Abroad
Which of these change meaning in other countries
The same picture, a different message. These are the ones from this set worth checking before you send them to someone in another country.
What reads as exertion or a nervous “phew” in one context is one of the most common sexual-innuendo emoji in another.
Mostly reads as playful mischief or flirtation, but the devil imagery carries more weight for some religious readers.
In Japan this reads as “oni,” the folklore demon tied to Setsubun bean-throwing, not a plain western monster mask.
Unicode calls it a “Japanese goblin” — the red long-nosed mask is a tengu, a mountain spirit from Shinto folklore.
Common internet shorthand for “that was a foolish move,” aimed at yourself or, pointedly, at someone else.
In US and UK internet slang it means “I’m dead” from laughing, not an actual reference to death.
05 — Combinations
Smiley & Emotion Emojis combinations
Ready-made combos built only from this set — for bios, captions and comments. Tap to copy.
All combinations →06 — How to use
How to use smiley emojis
07 — Timeline
When smiley emojis arrived
This set was not added at once. It grew over 16 years, which is why the drawing styles inside it do not always match.
08 — FAQ
Smiley & Emotion Emojis — questions
What are smiley emojis?
How many smiley emojis are there?
How do I copy and paste smiley emojis?
Will these smiley emojis look the same for everyone?
Can I use smiley emojis in an Instagram bio or a username?
What are the best smiley emojis combinations?
09 — Nearby
Collections close to smiley emojis
These share the most emoji with this page — positive emojis overlaps most, with 27 of the same characters.