Custom Emoji
YouTube custom emoji are channel-specific images that active channel members can use in comments on the creator's videos and in live chats.
Creators upload and name the emoji through the Memberships section of YouTube Studio. All active members receive access to the same custom emoji library regardless of membership level.
Where Can Members Use Custom Emoji?
- Comments on the channel's videos
- Comments on eligible Shorts
- Live chat on the channel's live streams
- Live chat during Premieres
- Other eligible channel comment and chat surfaces
Custom emoji are a channel-membership perk. Viewers without an active membership can see the emoji when members use them but cannot select them for their own messages.
Do Different Membership Levels Get Different Emoji?
No. YouTube says all members, regardless of level, get access to every custom emoji the creator uploads.
A creator cannot reserve one standard custom emoji for only the highest-priced level through YouTube's normal membership-emoji controls.
How to Upload Custom Emoji
- Open YouTube Studio.
- Select Earn.
- Open Memberships.
- Find the badges and emoji card.
- Select Edit.
- Create or confirm the emoji family name.
- Upload each image.
- Assign an emoji name.
- Preview and save the changes.
What Is the Emoji Family Name?
The family name is a shared prefix for the channel's emoji. Members use it to find and autocomplete the emoji in live chat.
Current YouTube rules include:
- It must contain 3–10 characters.
- It does not need to be unique across YouTube.
- YouTube recommends a recognizable channel or brand-related name.
- Members can also begin autocomplete with
:_.
What Is an Emoji Name?
Each uploaded emoji has its own name inside the family.
Current rules include:
- 3–10 alphanumeric characters
- Unique within the channel's emoji family
- Not required to be unique across all of YouTube
To change an existing emoji name, YouTube says the creator must delete and re-upload that emoji.
Example Emoji Naming System
A channel with the family name create might use:
:create_hype::create_lol::create_win::create_idea:
Short, memorable names are easier to type and autocomplete during a fast live chat.
How Many Emoji Can a Channel Upload?
YouTube unlocks additional custom emoji slots as the channel gains members. The current schedule begins with four emoji slots even at zero active members and expands over time.
Selected current thresholds include:
| Active Members | Available Emoji Slots |
|---|---|
| 0 | 4 |
| 2 | 5 |
| 10 | 7 |
| 50 | 12 |
| 100 | 14 |
| 500 | 25 |
| 1,000 | 30 |
| 5,000 or more | 54 |
YouTube says creators are not notified when a new slot unlocks, so review the Memberships page periodically.
Current Custom Emoji Specifications
| Requirement | Current YouTube Specification |
|---|---|
| Preferred formats | JPEG, PNG, or GIF |
| GIF behavior | Displayed as a static image, not an animation |
| Maximum file size | Less than 1 MB |
| Image dimensions | 48 × 48 pixels preferred, up to 480 × 480 pixels |
| Typical display size | Approximately 24 × 24 points, scaled for device density |
Custom Emoji vs. Loyalty Badges
| Feature | Custom Emoji | Loyalty Badge |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Expression inside comments and live chat | Public recognition of membership duration |
| Viewer action | Member chooses when to insert it | Appears automatically beside the member's name |
| Progression | More channel slots unlock as membership grows | Member's displayed badge changes with loyalty duration |
| Level-specific | No; all members receive the library | No; all members use the same time-based progression |
Custom Emoji vs. Standard Unicode Emoji
Standard emoji are part of the viewer's keyboard and can be used widely. YouTube custom emoji are uploaded by one creator and tied to that channel's membership program.
A custom emoji can contain a mascot, recurring joke, branded symbol, reaction face, or channel-specific visual that standard emoji cannot express.
How to Design Readable Emoji
- Use one clear emotion or idea.
- Crop tightly around the subject.
- Use strong contrast.
- Avoid long words.
- Use thick outlines when they improve separation.
- Remove unnecessary background detail.
- Preview at 24 × 24 points.
- Test on light and dark interfaces.
Good Custom Emoji Categories
- Celebration
- Laughter
- Surprise
- Agreement
- Confusion
- Channel catchphrases
- Recurring characters or mascots
- Topic-specific reactions
- Live-stream commands or rituals
Start with reactions members will use repeatedly rather than obscure references that only work once.
Emoji for Live Chat
Live chat moves quickly, so the strongest emoji have:
- Short names
- Distinct silhouettes
- Immediate emotional meaning
- Minimal fine detail
- Clear differences from the other channel emoji
Emoji for Comments
In video comments, members can use emoji to show support, react to a moment, or participate in a recurring community joke.
Creators should avoid designing an emoji that only makes sense in one live stream when the same library is intended for comments across the channel.
Can GIF Emoji Animate?
No. YouTube currently accepts GIF files as a preferred upload format but displays them as static images.
Creators should select a strong single frame rather than relying on motion to communicate the expression.
Transparent Backgrounds
PNG files are often useful for transparent backgrounds. Transparency can help the emoji integrate with different interface colors.
Keep enough outline and contrast so a transparent emoji does not disappear on dark or light backgrounds.
Replacing or Renaming Emoji
A creator can replace an image, but changing the emoji name requires deletion and re-upload according to YouTube's current guidance.
Before removing a commonly used emoji:
- Tell members about the change.
- Preserve familiar naming where practical.
- Avoid replacing the entire library at once.
- Keep source files and naming records.
Do Custom Emoji Affect Recommendations?
YouTube does not describe custom emoji as a direct recommendation-ranking signal. They are a membership and community-expression perk.
They can encourage participation and strengthen community identity, but creators should not promise algorithmic reach from emoji use.
Copyright and Trademark Rules
Creators should upload artwork they own or have permission to use. A custom emoji should not copy another creator's mascot, copyrighted character, company logo, or protected artwork without authorization.
The small display size does not eliminate intellectual-property obligations.
How to Choose the First Four Emoji
- Choose the most common positive reaction.
- Add a funny or surprised reaction.
- Add one channel-specific mascot or phrase.
- Add one topic-specific reaction members will use often.
- Observe usage before filling newly unlocked slots.
Common Custom-Emoji Mistakes
- Designing for a large canvas instead of 24-point display.
- Assuming GIFs animate.
- Creating long or confusing emoji names.
- Trying to reserve emoji for one membership tier.
- Waiting for an unlock notification that YouTube does not send.
- Using artwork without permission.
- Uploading too many similar reactions.
- Changing popular names without warning members.
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Who can use custom YouTube emoji?
All active members of the channel can use the uploaded custom emoji, regardless of membership level.
How many emoji can a new channel upload?
YouTube's current slot table starts with four available emoji slots.
Can custom GIF emoji animate?
No. YouTube displays uploaded GIF emoji as static images.
Can I rename an emoji?
YouTube says the creator must delete and re-upload the emoji to change its name.