WhatsApp Custom Stickers: How to Create and Upload

WhatsApp stickers must be exactly 512×512 pixels, same as Telegram. This is a strict requirement—stickers that don't meet this exact dimension won't work. File size must be under 100KB per sticker, which is more restrictive than Telegram's 512KB limit. This smaller file size requires careful optimization to maintain quality while staying under the limit.

WhatsApp uses WebP format for stickers, not PNG like Telegram or Discord. WebP provides better compression than PNG, which helps meet the 100KB file size limit. Stickers must have transparent backgrounds—solid backgrounds won't work. The WebP format must support transparency (WebP with alpha channel).

Sticker packs must contain at least 3 stickers and can have up to 30 stickers per pack. This is more restrictive than Telegram's 120-sticker limit but sufficient for most use cases. Packs are created through WhatsApp's mobile app or third-party sticker maker apps, not through a web interface like Discord or Slack.

On Android, open WhatsApp, go to any chat, tap the emoji icon, then tap the sticker icon. Tap the "+" button to create a new sticker pack. You'll be prompted to add stickers one by one from your phone's gallery. Select images that are 512×512 pixels and under 100KB. WhatsApp will convert them to WebP format automatically.

On iOS, the process is similar but requires using a third-party app first. WhatsApp on iOS doesn't have built-in sticker creation like Android. You'll need to use a sticker maker app (like "Sticker Maker" or similar) to create the pack, then import it into WhatsApp. The third-party app handles the WebP conversion and pack creation.

After adding all stickers, you'll name your pack and add a tray icon (the small icon that represents your pack in WhatsApp's sticker menu). The tray icon should be 96×96 pixels and represent your pack's theme. Once created, you can share the pack with others or use it yourself.

Third-party apps simplify WhatsApp sticker creation, especially on iOS or when creating packs on desktop. Apps like "Sticker Maker" (Android/iOS), "Personal Stickers for WhatsApp" (iOS), or web-based tools handle the WebP conversion, file size optimization, and pack creation automatically. You upload your images, the app processes them, and you export a sticker pack file to import into WhatsApp.

These apps typically allow you to create packs on desktop, then transfer to your phone for installation. This workflow is easier than creating stickers entirely on mobile. You design stickers on your computer, export them, use the app to create the pack, then import into WhatsApp. This is the recommended approach for professional sticker creation.

When choosing a sticker maker app, look for ones that handle WebP conversion automatically, optimize file sizes, and create proper pack files. Read reviews to ensure the app works reliably and doesn't add watermarks or require subscriptions for basic features. Many free apps work well for personal use.

WhatsApp requires WebP format with transparency. If you're creating stickers in design software, export as PNG first, then convert to WebP using tools like Squoosh, ImageMagick, or online converters. Ensure the WebP file maintains transparency and is under 100KB. WebP compression is generally better than PNG, so a well-optimized WebP can be smaller than PNG while maintaining similar quality.

The 100KB file size limit is strict and requires careful optimization. Use WebP quality settings around 80-85% to balance file size and visual quality. Higher quality (90%+) often exceeds the limit. Lower quality (below 75%) starts to show visible compression artifacts. Test different quality settings to find the sweet spot for your designs.

Simplify designs to meet the size limit. Complex designs with many colors, gradients, or fine details often exceed 100KB even with optimization. Use simpler color palettes, reduce gradients, and minimize fine details. Bold, simple designs work better for WhatsApp stickers than intricate artwork. The 100KB limit forces a different design approach than platforms with larger limits.

Remove unnecessary metadata from WebP files. Metadata (EXIF data, color profiles, etc.) adds to file size without affecting visual quality. Use optimization tools that strip metadata automatically. Every kilobyte matters when you're working with a 100KB limit.

Design for mobile viewing. WhatsApp is primarily used on phones, so stickers are viewed on small screens. While 512×512 pixels sounds large, users see stickers at various sizes in conversations. Ensure designs are clear and readable at smaller sizes. Bold shapes, high contrast, and simple compositions work better than complex details.

Use transparent backgrounds effectively. WhatsApp stickers have transparent backgrounds and appear on various chat backgrounds (light, dark, colorful). Design with this in mind—avoid colors that blend into common backgrounds. Add subtle outlines or shadows if needed to ensure stickers stand out. Test stickers on both light and dark backgrounds before finalizing.

Create cohesive packs with consistent style. WhatsApp sticker packs work best when all stickers share a unified visual style—same art style, color palette, and design approach. This makes packs feel professional and intentional. Plan your pack's theme and style before creating individual stickers to ensure consistency across the collection.

Consider cultural and language differences. WhatsApp is used globally, so stickers might be viewed by people from different cultures and languages. Avoid text in stickers unless it's universal or you're creating language-specific packs. Visual communication that transcends language barriers works best for global audiences.

WhatsApp's 100KB file size limit is much smaller than Telegram's 512KB or Discord's 256KB limits. This requires more aggressive optimization and simpler designs. Stickers that work on Telegram might not fit WhatsApp's size constraints. You'll need to simplify designs, reduce colors, and optimize more carefully for WhatsApp.

WebP format is required, not optional. While Discord and Slack accept PNG, and Telegram uses PNG for static stickers, WhatsApp exclusively uses WebP. This means you need to convert files and ensure WebP compatibility. Some design tools don't export WebP directly, requiring conversion steps.

Pack creation is mobile-first. Unlike Discord or Slack where you upload through web interfaces, WhatsApp sticker creation happens primarily on mobile devices. This makes the workflow different—you're working on desktop but installing on mobile. The mobile-centric approach affects how you organize and share sticker packs.

Sticker packs are more personal and less public. WhatsApp doesn't have a public sticker marketplace like Telegram. Packs are shared directly between users or through links, but there's no centralized discovery system. This makes WhatsApp stickers more personal and community-focused rather than publicly searchable content.

Step 1: Design your stickers at 512×512 pixels in your preferred design software. Create cohesive designs with transparent backgrounds. Keep designs simple to meet the 100KB file size limit. Export as PNG with transparency.

Step 2: Convert PNG files to WebP format. Use tools like Squoosh, ImageMagick, or online converters. Set quality to 80-85% and ensure transparency is preserved. Verify each file is under 100KB. If files exceed the limit, reduce quality or simplify designs.

Step 3: Transfer WebP files to your phone. Use cloud storage, email, or direct transfer. Organize files in a folder for easy access during pack creation.

Step 4: Use WhatsApp's sticker creation feature (Android) or a third-party sticker maker app (iOS/desktop workflow). Add stickers one by one, name your pack, add a tray icon, and create the pack.

Step 5: Test your sticker pack in WhatsApp conversations. Verify stickers display correctly, file sizes are appropriate, and designs work on different backgrounds. Make adjustments if needed.

Step 6: Share your pack with others. WhatsApp allows you to share sticker packs through links or direct sharing. Recipients can install the pack and use your stickers in their conversations.

The tray icon is the small icon that represents your sticker pack in WhatsApp's sticker menu. It should be 96×96 pixels and clearly represent your pack's theme or style. This icon helps users identify your pack among their installed sticker packs. Make it distinctive and recognizable at small size.

Design the tray icon to work at 96×96 pixels. Simple, bold designs work best—complex details get lost at this small size. Use high contrast and clear shapes. The icon should be readable even when tiny. Test it at actual size to ensure it's clear and recognizable.

The tray icon can be a simplified version of one of your stickers, your pack's mascot or logo, or a representative symbol. Choose something that immediately communicates what your pack contains. A good tray icon helps users find and use your sticker pack.

WhatsApp allows you to share sticker packs directly with other users. Open your sticker pack in WhatsApp, tap the share icon, and send the pack link to others. Recipients can tap the link to install your pack on their device. This direct sharing is the primary way sticker packs spread on WhatsApp.

Share packs through WhatsApp groups, status updates, or direct messages. Popular packs spread through word-of-mouth as users share them with friends and family. There's no public marketplace, so distribution relies on sharing and recommendations. Create packs that people want to share.

You can also share packs through external links (websites, social media) if you host the pack file. However, most users prefer the direct WhatsApp sharing method since it's simpler and works within the app. External links require users to download and install files manually, which is less convenient.

"Sticker too large" errors mean your file exceeds 100KB. Reduce WebP quality, simplify the design, or remove unnecessary elements. The 100KB limit is strict—even 101KB will be rejected. Always verify file sizes before creating packs.

"Invalid format" errors usually mean the file isn't proper WebP format or doesn't have transparency. Ensure you're using WebP with alpha channel, not regular WebP. Some converters create WebP without transparency support, which won't work for WhatsApp stickers.

Wrong dimensions cause issues. Stickers must be exactly 512×512 pixels. Check dimensions before converting to WebP. If you're scaling images, ensure the final size is exactly 512×512, not 510×510 or 515×515.

Stickers not appearing correctly might be due to transparency issues or file corruption during conversion. Re-export and re-convert files. Test WebP files in an image viewer before adding to WhatsApp to verify they display correctly with transparency.

Keep designs simple to meet the 100KB limit. Complex designs with many colors, gradients, or fine details often exceed the limit. Use bold, simple shapes and limited color palettes. The size constraint forces a minimalist design approach that actually works well for mobile viewing.

Test file sizes throughout the creation process. Don't wait until the end to check if files are under 100KB—verify during design and export. This prevents having to redesign stickers that exceed the limit. Build file size awareness into your design process.

Create cohesive packs with 8-15 well-chosen stickers. You can have up to 30, but smaller, focused packs often work better. Choose stickers that cover common communication needs (emotions, reactions, greetings) rather than creating random collections. Quality over quantity.

Optimize WebP files carefully. Use quality settings that balance file size and visual quality. Test different settings to find what works for your designs. Remove metadata, use efficient compression, and verify transparency is preserved. Good optimization is essential for meeting the 100KB limit.