Twitch Emote Rules — Content Guidelines & Approval Process

Twitch has strict rules and guidelines for emote submissions to maintain a safe and appropriate platform. This guide covers Twitch's emote policies, content guidelines, and requirements for approval.

Twitch Emote Content Rules

Technical Requirements

• Three sizes required: 28×28 px (small), 56×56 px (medium), 112×112 px (large) — all exact dimensions
• File size: Maximum 25 KB per size (strict limit)
• Formats: PNG (static) or GIF (animated) only. WebP is not supported.
• Readability: Must be clear and readable at 28×28 px

Animation Rules

Animated emotes must follow these rules:

• Animations must be smooth and looping (seamless loop from first to last frame)
• Avoid rapid flashing that could trigger seizures or be distracting
• Keep animations subtle and readable at small sizes (28×28 px)
• Limit frame count to keep file sizes under 25 KB per size
• No strobing effects or rapid color changes

Copyright and Trademark Guidelines

Only submit emotes you own or have permission to use. Brand logos, characters, and copyrighted content require authorization. Fair use may apply for transformative content, but always respect copyright holders. Twitch will remove emotes that violate copyright upon request.

Eligibility Requirements

To upload emotes, you must be:

• A Twitch Affiliate or Partner (emotes are not available to regular users)
• In good standing with Twitch (no active bans or violations)
• The owner or authorized user of the content you're uploading

Emote Limits

Emote limits depend on your Twitch status:

• Affiliates: Up to 5 emotes (can unlock more with subscriptions)
• Partners: Up to 60 emotes (can unlock more with subscriptions)
• Additional emotes unlock based on subscriber milestones

Design Best Practices

• Keep it simple: Designs must be readable at 28×28 px. Avoid fine details.
• Use high contrast: Bold shapes and clear colors read better at small sizes.
• Limit colors: Fewer colors mean smaller file sizes and better clarity.
• Avoid text: Text is usually unreadable at 28×28 px. Use symbols, faces, or icons instead.
• Test at small size: Always preview your emote at 28×28 px before submitting.

Approval Process

Twitch reviews all emote submissions before approval:

• Review time: Usually 24–48 hours, but can take longer during peak times
• All three sizes are checked for compliance
• Content is reviewed against Twitch's community guidelines
• Rejected emotes will include a reason (check your Creator Dashboard)

Common Rejection Reasons

• Wrong dimensions: Sizes must be exactly 28×28, 56×56, and 112×112 px
• File too large: Each size must be under 25 KB
• Unreadable: Not clear or recognizable at 28×28 px
• Animation violations: Rapid flashing or seizure-inducing effects
• Inappropriate content: Violates Twitch's content guidelines
• Copyright: Uses copyrighted content without permission

Official Twitch Resources

• Twitch Terms of Service
• Twitch Community Guidelines
• Twitch Emote Guide (Official)

Need help creating Twitch-compliant emotes? Check out our complete guide to making Twitch emotes or start creating with our free Twitch emote maker.