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2024-05-22

How to Add Custom Emojis to Slack in 3 Simple Steps

Want to personalize your Slack workspace with custom emojis? Whether you're looking to add some team spirit, inside jokes, or just make work communications more fun, adding custom emojis to Slack is surprisingly easy. Here's how to do it in just a few minutes.

What You'll Need

  • Admin or member permissions on your Slack workspace
  • An image file (PNG or GIF recommended)
  • A few minutes of time

Step 1: Prepare Your Emoji Image

Before uploading, make sure your image meets these requirements:

  • Size: Square format works best (128×128 pixels recommended)
  • File type: PNG (for static images) or GIF (for animated emojis)
  • File size: Under 128KB
  • Background: Transparent background looks most professional

Pro tip: For the best results, crop your image tightly around the subject and remove any unnecessary background elements.

Step 2: Upload Your Custom Emoji

Now that your image is ready, follow these steps:

  1. Open your Slack workspace
  2. Click on your workspace name in the top-left corner
  3. Select "Customize Slack" from the dropdown menu
  4. Click on the "Add Custom Emoji" button
  5. Click "Upload Image" and select your prepared image file
  6. Give your emoji a unique name (without spaces, use underscores instead)
  7. Click "Save"

That's it! Your custom emoji is now available in your Slack workspace.

Step 3: Use Your New Custom Emoji

You can start using your custom emoji right away:

  • In messages: Type : followed by your emoji name (e.g., :cool_cat:)
  • As reactions: Hover over a message, click the "Add reaction" button (smiley face), and search for your emoji

Quick Troubleshooting

Having issues with your custom emoji? Here are common problems and solutions:

  • "File too large" error: Reduce your image file size (try TinyPNG for compression)
  • Emoji looks pixelated: Make sure your original image has sufficient resolution
  • Can't find emoji after adding: Make sure you're typing the exact name you gave it, including underscores

Popular Custom Emoji Ideas

Looking for inspiration? Here are some popular types of custom emojis:

  • Team member faces with different expressions
  • Company logo variations (celebrating, thinking, etc.)
  • Project-specific status indicators
  • Inside jokes from team meetings
  • Custom reactions for common responses

Conclusion

Adding custom emojis to Slack is a simple way to make your workspace more personal and engaging. It's these small touches that help build team culture, especially in remote work environments.

Need help creating the perfect custom emoji? Try our emoji creator tool to easily design and download emojis optimized specifically for Slack!