How to Insert an Emoji in Email on Any Device

Adding an emoji to an email can convey warmth, make a short message easier to scan, or add a little personality. You can insert one with the built-in emoji picker on Windows, Mac, iPhone, or iPad, or use Gmail’s emoji button; no special software is needed.

What You’ll Need

A device with an email app or a browser open to Gmail.
An internet connection if you are using webmail or want to send the message.
A recipient and a draft email. Emojis work in most modern email services, though how they look can vary by device.

Step-by-Step

Open a new message. In your email app or Gmail, choose the option to compose a new email, or open a reply. Click or tap in the subject or message body where you want the emoji. You can usually add an emoji to either field.
Insert an emoji on Windows. In the message field, press Windows key + . (period) or Windows key + ; (semicolon). The emoji picker opens. Select an emoji, or search by a word such as “smile” or “heart.” The selected symbol appears at the cursor. Click outside the picker or press Esc to close it. If the shortcut does not work, make sure the message field is active and try the other shortcut.
Insert an emoji on a Mac. Click where you want the emoji, then press Control + Command + Space. In the Character Viewer, select an emoji or search for one by name or description. It is inserted at the cursor. Close the viewer when finished. On some macOS versions or keyboards, you can also open the emoji picker from the Edit menu, under Emoji & Symbols.
Insert an emoji on iPhone. Tap the message field to bring up the keyboard. Tap the emoji key, usually shown as a smiley face, or tap the globe key and choose Emoji if you have multiple keyboards. Find an emoji by browsing the categories or typing a search term in the emoji search field, if shown. Tap the result to insert it, then tap the letters key to return to the regular keyboard.
Insert an emoji on iPad. Tap in the email body to open the on-screen keyboard. Tap the emoji key or globe key and choose the emoji keyboard, then select the symbol you want. If you use a physical keyboard, try Control + Command + Space to open the character viewer. Keyboard options can differ by iPad model and settings; the on-screen keyboard is a useful alternative.
Insert an emoji in Gmail on a computer. Start a message at Gmail in your browser and click in its body. Select the smiley-face icon at the bottom of the compose window to open Gmail’s emoji picker. Search or browse, then click an emoji to insert it. You can repeat this to add more. The button may be hidden if the compose window is narrow, so widen the window or look under the formatting and insert controls.
Use Gmail on a phone or tablet. In the Gmail app, tap Compose or open a reply, then tap the message field. Use the emoji keyboard on your device as described above. The Gmail app generally uses the device keyboard rather than the desktop Gmail emoji button.
Review and send. Read the whole message before sending. Check that the emoji fits the tone, appears in the right place, and has not replaced a word or punctuation. Send the email when it is ready.

Common Mistakes

Typing the shortcut into the message. The Windows shortcut opens a picker only when the email field has focus. Click in the message first; otherwise the shortcut may do something else.
Confusing emoji with text emoticons. Typing characters such as 🙂 may be converted into an emoji by some apps, but this is not guaranteed. Use the picker when you need a specific symbol.
Adding too many. A long string of emojis can distract from the message or make a work email seem less clear. Use one or a few where they support the meaning.
Assuming every recipient sees the same design. Emoji artwork varies between operating systems, apps, and fonts. Some older systems may show a plain symbol or an empty box instead.
Putting an emoji in the wrong field. If the cursor was in the subject line, the emoji will go there rather than in the body. Check the insertion point before selecting it.

Tips

Use the picker’s search feature to find an emoji by a descriptive word instead of scanning every category.
Consider accessibility and clarity: do not use an emoji as the only way to communicate an important instruction, date, or status.
For a professional message, keep emoji use restrained and choose symbols with an obvious, appropriate meaning.
Send a test email to yourself if the exact appearance matters, especially when sharing a less common emoji with someone using an older device.
Emoji are Unicode characters embedded in the message, not image attachments. Recipients can usually read the message without downloading an image, but rendering still depends on their device and software.

Troubleshooting

The Windows picker will not open: Click in the email body, then try Windows key + . and Windows key + ;. If you use a remote desktop or a keyboard with remapped keys, the shortcut may be intercepted. Copying an emoji from another source and pasting it into the draft is a practical fallback.
The Mac shortcut does nothing: Confirm the cursor is in an editable field and press Control, Command, and Space together. If needed, use the Edit menu’s Emoji & Symbols option. Restarting the email app or browser may help if the character viewer is unresponsive.
The emoji keyboard is missing on iPhone or iPad: Open Settings, go to General, then Keyboard, then Keyboards, and choose Add New Keyboard. Select Emoji if it is not listed. Menu wording can vary slightly by system version. Return to the email and use the globe key to switch keyboards.
The Gmail emoji button is not visible: Check that the compose window is expanded and look along its bottom toolbar. If it remains unavailable, use the computer’s emoji shortcut or the device keyboard. In a browser, refreshing Gmail or trying another supported browser may resolve a temporary display issue; save the draft first.
The recipient sees a box or different symbol: Their device may not support that emoji or may render it differently. Replace it with a common emoji, or write the meaning in words when clarity matters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I put an emoji in an email subject line?
Usually, yes. Click in the subject field before choosing the emoji. Check that it is appropriate and does not make the subject harder to understand.

Can I insert an emoji in Gmail on my phone?
Yes. Open or compose a message, tap the body, and choose an emoji from your iPhone or Android keyboard. The mobile app typically relies on the device keyboard.

Why does an emoji look different after I send it?
Different devices and apps draw emoji in their own styles. The basic character may be the same even when its color or appearance changes.

Can I copy and paste an emoji into an email?
Yes. Copy the emoji from another message, a document, or a character picker and paste it at the email cursor. Check the result before sending.

Will an emoji work in every email app?
Most current email apps support common emoji, but older software may display some as boxes or substitute characters. Use plain words as well when the message must be unambiguous.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

More in this bed

The whole Tech How-To bed →