Discord Emoji Rules — Content Guidelines & Policies

Discord has specific rules and guidelines for custom emojis to ensure a safe and appropriate environment. This guide covers Discord's emoji policies, content guidelines, and best practices for creating compliant emojis.

Discord Emoji Content Rules

Prohibited Content

Discord prohibits emojis containing:

Explicit sexual content or nudity
Hate speech or discriminatory content
Violence or gore
Copyrighted or trademarked content without permission
Content that violates Discord's Terms of Service

Copyright and Trademark Guidelines

Only upload emojis you own or have permission to use. Brand logos, characters, and copyrighted content require authorization. Fair use may apply for personal use, but always respect copyright holders. Discord can remove emojis that violate copyright upon request.

Technical Requirements

File size: Maximum 256 KB per emoji (static or animated)
Formats: PNG, JPG, GIF, or WebP
Dimensions: Recommended 128×128 px (Discord displays at 32–48px)
Animation: GIF and WebP support animation. Keep animations smooth and looping.

Server-Specific Rules

Individual Discord servers may have additional emoji rules set by moderators. Always check your server's rules before uploading emojis. Some servers restrict certain themes, require approval, or have specific naming conventions.

Naming Guidelines

Emoji names must:

Be at least 2 characters long
Contain only alphanumeric characters and underscores
Not contain spaces or special characters
Not be offensive or violate Discord's guidelines

Use descriptive names (e.g., :happy_dance: instead of :emoji1:) to make emojis easier to find and use.

Best Practices

Keep it appropriate: Emojis should be suitable for all ages unless your server is explicitly 18+.
Ensure quality: Use high-contrast, clear designs that read well at small sizes (32–48px).
Respect copyright: Only use content you own or have permission to use.
Follow server rules: Check with moderators before uploading emojis that might be controversial.
Test before uploading: Preview your emoji at actual Discord display size to ensure it's readable.

What Happens If You Violate Rules?

Discord can remove emojis that violate their guidelines. Server moderators can also delete emojis that violate server-specific rules. Repeated violations may result in warnings or account restrictions. If you receive a copyright takedown request, Discord will remove the emoji immediately.

Creating Compliant Emojis: Our Discord emoji maker helps you create emojis that meet Discord's technical requirements. Always ensure your content complies with Discord's content policies.

Official Discord Resources

Need help creating Discord-compliant emojis? Check out our guide to making Discord emotes or start creating with our free Discord emoji maker.