How to Add Custom Emojis in Discord
Discord does per-server emojis, so you need the right permission on that server first.
Miles Crawford
Upload a Custom Emoji
- Download the emoji you want from Teamsmoji.
- Open your Discord server and click the server name at the top left.
- Go to Server Settings, then the Emoji tab.
- Click Upload Emoji and pick your downloaded image.
- Use a name with at least two characters, using letters, numbers, and underscores. Select the emoji in the server picker to use it.
Permissions
Discord documents Create Expressions for adding emoji and Manage Expressions for editing or removing them. The server owner can add emoji. Permission labels are being rolled out, so ask an admin which role applies if your controls differ. Do not assume a missing tab means the downloaded image is broken.
Limits and Slots
Keep the file smaller than 256 KB. Discord supports JPEG, PNG, GIF, and WebP. It recommends upload sizes up to 128 x 128 pixels and says emoji are displayed at 32 x 32. Check the server's available slots before uploading; a full slot list is separate from a file-size error.
Why Friends See a Gray Emoji
Custom emoji belong to the server where you uploaded them. Discord documents Nitro or Nitro Basic for using custom emoji outside their home server. A lock in the picker can mean that subscription is needed, rather than that the upload failed. Other servers can restrict external emoji, so check the destination server too.
Sources and limits
Checked October 28, 2026 against Discord's upload and permission guide. These are documented steps, not a tested upload in your server. Discord also describes an Emoji Studio upload path in the desktop and browser picker, but its rollout may not have reached your account.