# Emoji and emoticons

## Add emoji to a message

There are several ways to add emoji to a message: typing emoji codes,
selecting from an emoji picker, using emoticons, or pasting from another
site.

### Type an emoji code

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{!start-composing.md!}

1. Type `:` followed by a few letters to open the emoji autocomplete. The
   letters don't have to be at the beginning of the emoji name; `:ppl` will
   match `:apple:`

{end_tabs}

If you don't know the code for an emoji, you can see what it's called in the
emoji picker, or hover over the emoji in a message.

### Select from the emoji picker

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{!start-composing.md!}

1. Click the smiley face (<i class="fa fa-smile-o"></i>) icon at the
   bottom of the compose box.

1. Select an emoji. You can type to search, use the arrow keys, or click on
   an emoji with your mouse.

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### Use emoticons

Use `:)` and `:/` instead of typing `:smile:` and `:confused:`.

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{settings_tab|display-settings}

1. Under **Emoji settings**, select **Convert emoticons before sending**.

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The list of supported emoticons is available
[here](/help/enable-emoticon-translations).

### Paste from another site

Copying and pasting emoji from other sites generally works.
[Contact us](/help/contact-support) if you find a site where it doesn't!

## Change your emoji set

Your emoji set determines how you see emoji. It has no effect on the emoji
you send. Zulip emoji are compatible with screen readers and other accessibility tools.

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{settings_tab|display-settings}

1. Under **Theme**, select **Google**,
   **Twitter**, **Plain text**, or **Google blobs** for the emoji theme.

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!!! warn ""

    **Google blobs** is an old style of Google emoji that has not been maintained
    by Google since 2017, when they switched to a more modern style. Zulip allows
    you to still use blob emoji, but any new emoji that have been released since
    2017 will be displayed in the modern **Google** style.

## Related articles

* [Add custom emoji](/help/custom-emoji)
* [Emoji reactions](/help/emoji-reactions)