How to React to Messages on Discord

Reacting to a message on Discord lets you quickly acknowledge it with an emoji, without typing a full reply. This guide covers both desktop and mobile apps, including how to add custom emoji reactions. You’ll need a Discord account and access to a server or DM where you have permission to react (most channels allow it by default).

What You’ll Need

A Discord account (free or Nitro)
The Discord app on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, or Android, or the web version at discord.com
Permission to react in the channel (usually enabled by default)

Step-by-Step

Open the message you want to react to. It can be in a server channel, a group DM, or a direct message.
Hover over the message (desktop) or long-press it (mobile). On desktop, a small toolbar appears at the top-right of the message. On mobile, a pop-up menu appears.
Click or tap the smiley face icon. It looks like a smiley emoji and is usually the first icon in the toolbar. This opens the emoji picker.
Choose an emoji. The picker shows frequently used emojis at the top. You can also search or browse by category. Clicking an emoji adds it as a reaction to the message.
To add a custom emoji (server emoji), switch to the server’s emoji tab (the icon that looks like a person or a server logo) in the picker. Select any emoji you have access to. If you’re on Discord Nitro, you can use custom emojis from any server you’re in.
To change or remove your reaction, click the reaction emoji below the message again. It will toggle off. If you want to change it, remove the old one and add a new one.
To see who reacted, hover over the reaction (desktop) or tap it (mobile). A list of usernames appears.
To add a reaction that’s already on the message, just click the emoji below the message. This is faster than opening the picker.

Common Mistakes

Clicking the message instead of hovering: On desktop, you must hover directly over the message area, not just the text, to see the toolbar.
Using the wrong emoji picker: The picker that appears when you click the smiley in the chat input box is for sending emojis in your message, not for reacting. Use the one that appears on the message itself.
Not realizing you can’t react to your own message in some servers: Some server settings disable self-reactions. If you don’t see the option, that’s why.
Forgetting that reactions are limited to 20 per message: If a message already has 20 distinct emoji reactions, you can’t add a new one.

Tips

Use reactions for quick acknowledgments: A thumbs up or checkmark can save time in busy channels.
Create a reaction role: Server admins can set up reaction roles, where reacting with a specific emoji grants you a role. This is great for opt-in notifications.
Use the search feature in the emoji picker: Type a keyword like “party” to find the perfect emoji without scrolling.
On mobile, you can also swipe left on a message to react: This is a shortcut that opens the same emoji picker.
If you have Discord Nitro, you can use animated emojis as reactions. They’ll animate for everyone, even those without Nitro.

Troubleshooting

No reaction option appears when hovering: Make sure you’re hovering over the message body, not the timestamp or the very edge. If it still doesn’t show, you may not have permission to react in that channel. Check the channel permissions or ask a moderator.

The emoji picker is empty: This can happen if you’re offline or if the emoji server is slow. Try refreshing the app or checking your internet connection.

You can’t add a custom emoji: Custom emojis are limited to the server they belong to (unless you have Nitro). If you’re trying to use an emoji from another server, you’ll need Nitro or to be in that server.

Reactions aren’t showing up on a message: Sometimes the client needs a refresh. Press Ctrl+R (Windows) or Cmd+R (Mac) to reload the app. On mobile, close and reopen the app.

You accidentally reacted with the wrong emoji: Simply click the reaction again to remove it, then add the correct one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I react with any emoji I want?

Yes, you can use any standard emoji. Custom emojis are limited to those available in your current server, unless you have Discord Nitro.

How do I react with a custom emoji from another server?

You need Discord Nitro. With Nitro, you can use any custom emoji from any server you’re a member of, as long as you have the link or it appears in your emoji picker.

Can I react to my own message?

Yes, you can react to your own messages unless the server admin has disabled self-reactions. In DMs, you can always react to your own messages.

Is there a limit to how many reactions a message can have?

Yes, a message can have up to 20 distinct emoji reactions. Each emoji can have unlimited individual reactions, but the variety is capped at 20.

Can I see who reacted to a message?

Yes, hover over the reaction on desktop or tap it on mobile to see a list of usernames who used that emoji.

Do reactions work in DMs?

Yes, reactions work in direct messages and group DMs just like in servers.

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

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