Custom Emoji Size Limits: Teams vs Slack vs Discord
Compare documented file guidance, then check your actual PNG or GIF. File size, dimensions, animation frames, and permission are separate checks.
Miles Crawford
Custom Emoji Limits at a Glance
| Platform | File-size guidance | Best dimensions | Formats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Teams | Under 256 KB recommended | Square | JPEG, PNG, GIF |
| Slack | Under 128 KB works best | Square | JPG, PNG, GIF |
| Discord | Under 256 KB | Up to 128 x 128 | JPEG, PNG, GIF, WebP |
A square 128 x 128 image under 128 KB is a conservative starting point for all three, not an upload guarantee. Slack's 128 KB wording is a best-results recommendation, and its GIF frame count is a separate check. A small file can still fail because of format, permissions, or server slots.
Pick PNG or GIF Before You Start Shrinking
Use PNG for a static reaction, especially when you need a transparent background or crisp text. Use GIF only when the movement is doing real work. Use a short loop with one readable action.
Teams supports uploaded images and GIFs, Slack recommends square JPG, PNG, or GIF files under 128 KB, and Discord accepts JPEG, PNG, GIF, or WebP files under 256 KB. The platforms can change their upload rules, so the official pages are the final word: Microsoft Teams, Slack, and Discord.
How to Shrink a Static Emoji
- Crop away empty space so the subject fills the square.
- Resize the canvas to 128 x 128 pixels.
- Export as PNG with transparency only if you need it.
- If the file is still too large, reduce colors or try WebP for Discord.
If repeated resizing makes the subject unclear, simplify the image instead. Preview it at chat size before exporting again.
How to Shrink an Animated GIF
- Resize to 128 x 128 first. Dimensions are one useful place to start.
- Trim dead time from the beginning and end of the loop.
- Remove duplicate frames or lower the frame rate.
- Reduce the color palette only after the motion still looks right.
Slack documents up to 50 frames. For practical chat reactions, a short loop also reads better because people can recognize the action quickly.
Starting with a video or a giant GIF? Use the free Teamsmoji Emoji Maker to crop, resize, add a caption, and export a chat-ready version in your browser.
Why Your Emoji Looks Blurry
Upload dimensions are not display dimensions. An emoji may be stored at 128 x 128 and shown around 20 to 32 pixels in chat. Fine detail, tiny lettering, and soft edges disappear fast. Crop tightly, use thick outlines, and preview the image at actual chat size before uploading it.
Transparent backgrounds usually feel more like native emoji. A solid square can work when its background is part of the image.
Quick Answers
What size should a custom emoji be?
Start with a square 128 x 128 image under 128 KB, then verify format, animation frames, and upload permission. It is not a guarantee.
Why does my custom emoji look blurry?
Chat apps show emojis very small. Crop empty space, simplify the image, use thick edges, and preview it around 32 pixels.
How do I make an animated emoji smaller?
Resize it, shorten the loop, remove duplicate frames, then reduce colors. Compare each export so you can catch lost motion.
Source check
The official platform pages linked above were checked October 28, 2026. We have not tested uploads in your accounts. Design advice and the shared starting size are our suggestions, not platform requirements.