How to Use Emojis in Instagram Posts, Stories, & More

PDF download Download Article
Respond to friends or followers in style with these emoji tricks
PDF download Download Article

This wikiHow teaches you how to type an emoji into an Instagram comment or caption. Instagram makes it easy to add emojis using built-in features in both the mobile app and the desktop website. For more options, you can use the emoji keyboard on your phone or computer. We’ll also explain how to add emojis to reels and stories using Stickers, as well as how to react to DMs with an emoji.

Quick Steps

  1. Open the comments section on a post you want to respond to.
  2. Tap a popular emoji above the text field to add it to your comment.
  3. For more emoji, tap the comment text field, then tap the emoji symbol on the keyboard.
  4. Browse the emoji menu of emojis and tap the one you want to add.
  5. Tap the Send icon to post your comment with the emoji(s) in it.
Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

On iPhone and Android

PDF download Download Article
  1. 1
    Use the default emoji options to quickly add a reaction in a comment. If you want to use emojis in a comment, the Instagram app makes it easy. Tap the speech balloon icon under a post you want to comment on to open the comments section. Then, select one of the default emoji options above the text field at the bottom of the screen to add it to your comment.
    • This method offers only a few of the most popular emojis: the red heart, raised hands, fire, clapping hands, crying face, face with heart eyes, surprised face, and laughing face. If you want more options, you’ll need to use your phone’s emoji keyboard.
  2. 2
    Tap the emoji symbol on your phone’s keyboard for more options. If you want to add something a little more special to your comment, tap the comment text field to open your phone’s keyboard. Then, tap the emoji symbol, which usually looks like a smiley face. On an iPhone, you’ll find it at the bottom left side of the keyboard. On an Android, it’s at the top. Tap any emoji to add it to your comment.
    Advertisement
  3. 3
    Use your phone’s emoji keyboard to add emojis to post captions. Emojis are a great way to add flair to the caption of any Instagram post. Start creating your post as you normally would, then tap the Add a caption text field to open your phone’s keyboard. Tap the emoji icon to access your library of emojis, and then tap any emoji to add it to your caption.
  4. 4
    Add emojis to reels and stories with the Stickers feature. Did you know that you can jazz up your videos on Instagram by adding emojis and other stickers? Here’s how to do it:
    • Start creating a new reel or story . After you edit the clip you want to use, you’ll get to a screen where you can add extra features, such as text, sounds, visual effects, or stickers.
    • Tap the sticker icon in the toolbar. It looks like a square sticker with a smiley face on it and one corner folded over.
    • Type some keywords into the Search bar at the top of the screen (e.g., “smile” or “heart”). If there are any emojis that match, they’ll show up at the top of the search results! Tap the one you want to add it to your reel or story.
      • Alternatively, you can select the reaction sticker option from the list of sticker types that pops up when you tap the sticker button. It looks like a round speech bubble with an emoji in it.
      • If you choose this option, you’ll be prompted to customize your reaction sticker with the emoji you want before adding it to your video. Use one of the default options at the bottom of the screen, or tap the + button to browse more emojis.
    • Tap and drag the emoji to move it around. When you’ve placed it where you want it, finish posting your reel or story.
  5. 5
    Tap and hold a message in your DMs to add an emoji reaction. Just like on Facebook Messenger, you can use emojis to quickly react to DMs on Instagram . To do it, open a conversation, then tap and hold the message you want to react to. Select from one of the default emojis in the menu that pops up, or tap the + icon to browse additional emojis.
    • Tap and hold the emoji you select to get an animated “super react.”
    • You can also use your device’s emoji keyboard to add emojis to DMs. Just tap the text field where you’d type your message, tap the emoji symbol on your keyboard, and select the emoji you want.
    6. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

On a Computer

PDF download Download Article
  1. 1
    Click the emoji icon in the comment field to add emojis to comments. On the Instagram website, navigate to a post you want to comment on. Click the speech bubble icon below the post to open the comment section. Next to the text field that says Add a comment , click the smiley face icon to open a menu of emojis to choose from.
    • You’ll see a selection of the most popular emojis at the top, but you can scroll down to view other options.
    • Once you find an emoji you want to use, click on it to add it to your comment.
    • You can also use your computer’s built-in emoji keyboard to add emojis.
      • On a Windows PC, click the text field, then press ⊞ Win + . to open the emoji keyboard. [1] This keyboard also gives you access to other special symbols, like elaborate text-based emoticons (“Kaomoji”).
      • On a Mac, click the text field, then press Fn + E to open the Character Viewer. Double-click the emoji or other special symbol you’d like to use to add it to your comment. [2]
  2. 2
    Click the emoji icon to add emojis to post captions. It’s very simple to add emojis to posts in the desktop version of Instagram. Start creating your post as you normally would, then click the smiley face icon in the lower-left corner of the caption area. Scroll through the menu of emojis to find the one you want, then click it to add it to your post.
    • You can also use your computer’s emoji keyboard, if you prefer.
    • While you can post videos on the desktop version of Instagram, you can’t add emoji stickers directly to the video like you can in the mobile app. You can only use emojis in the caption.
  3. 3
    Add emojis to DMs with the emoji button. The desktop version of Instagram has an emoji button built into the text field in the DM section. Click the icon that looks like a smiley face to the left of the text field where you’d type your message, then scroll to browse the emoji menu. Click the one you want to add it to your message.
    • Alternatively, use your computer’s emoji keyboard.
  4. 4
    Hover over a message and click the React button to add an emoji reaction. You can also quickly react to a DM with an emoji. To do this, hover your cursor over the message you want to react to. A popup menu will appear. Hover over the smiley face icon, and you’ll see text that says React . Click the icon to browse a menu of emojis. Click the one you want to add it as a reaction.
    5. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do I use emojis on a laptop?
    Community Answer
    The same way you would do on a desktop computer. Laptops also use a browser to access Instagram. There are 2 ways of doing this: You can right click the text box and press "Emoji", or click the smiley face icon.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 3 Helpful 20
  • Question
    Why do some emojis not show up?
    Community Answer
    The emoji is not supported by the device you're on; there are a few emojis only on Microsoft, and several that were only unavailable on Microsoft until the Windows 11 update. If an emoji isn't supported on the platform, it will show up as a blank rectangle.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 3 Helpful 16
  • Question
    Is it "ee moh jee" or "ee moh jy"?
    Community Answer
    "ee-moh-jee."
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 8
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      • When adding emojis to your captions and comments, be mindful of visually impaired Instagram users who might use screen readers to read the text. Place emojis at the end of the caption or comment, and don’t go too wild adding tons of them to your post–stick to 3 at most! You might also want to check the standard alt text description of any emoji before using it, since that’s what these users will hear. [3]
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      • The emoji keyboard should be enabled on your mobile device by default. If not, you'd have to enable it in the device's settings.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • Depending on the platform they're using, some Instagram users may not be able to see certain emojis.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      Complete Guide to Searching for Someone on Instagram (2024)
      5 Simple Ways to Post on Instagram
      4 Easy Ways to Download a Picture from Instagram
      5 Easy Steps to Have Invisible Highlight Names on Instagram
      How to
      View Instagram Without an Account Anonymously
      Easily View a List of People You Have Requested to Follow on Instagram
      Find Out Who Shared Your Instagram Posts & Reels to Stories
      How to
      See Your Instagram Stalkers: Stories, Stats, & Apps
      4 Quick Ways to Contact Instagram Support for Help
      5 Ways to View Reels You’ve Watched on Instagram
      3 Ways to Delete Instagram Search Suggestions (Reset Autofill)
      4 Easy Ways to Login to Instagram Without a Recovery Code
      How to
      Watch Someone's IG Story Without Them Knowing
      7 Reasons Why You're Seeing "User Not Found" on Instagram
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-keyboard-tips-and-tricks-588e0b72-0fff-6d3f-aeee-6e5116097942
      2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/mac-help/mchlp1560/mac
      3. ↑ https://guides.cuny.edu/accessibility/memeEmoji

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 376,707 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Sue Halter

        Aug 27, 2016

        "Steps 1-4 were the most helpful. Your instructions helped a lot."
      Share your story

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement