How to Add Custom Emojis in Microsoft Teams

Upload a Custom Emoji

1. Download the emoji you want from Teamsmoji. It saves as a PNG or GIF.
2. Open Microsoft Teams and go into any chat or channel.
3. Select Emoji, GIFs and Stickers beside the message box, then choose Emoji.
4. At the bottom of the picker, select Your org's emoji, then select Add emoji on the left.
5. Upload your downloaded image and give it a short name.
6. Select Add emoji again to save it for your organization.

Use It in a Message or a Reaction

In a message, open Emoji, GIFs and Stickers, choose Emoji, and select Your org's emoji. Select the emoji to insert it. To react, hover over a message, select More reactions, then Your org's emoji. You can also search from the Emoji tab.

If the Upload Button Is Missing

A missing button does not identify the cause by itself. Check that you opened Your org's emoji, then ask your Teams admin whether custom emoji and uploads are enabled for your account. Microsoft lists a tenant-wide Use custom emojis setting and a separate Upload custom emojis messaging policy. Its admin guide currently excludes EDU tenants.

What Works Best

Microsoft lists JPEG, PNG, and GIF files, recommends square images, and advises selecting files under 256 KB because Teams compresses them. Teamsmoji library files vary; check your download rather than assuming every file fits. Use the size checker for a file check or the maker to crop and resize.

Sources and limits

Checked October 28, 2026 against Microsoft's upload instructions and its admin controls. The admin page describes a Custom category and Plus button; the user guide uses Your org's emoji and Add emoji. Labels may differ. These steps follow Microsoft's documentation, not a claim that we tested an upload in your tenant.