⌨️ How to Type Emojis on Windows 10 and 11
Windows has a built-in emoji picker hiding behind a two-key shortcut. Here is how to open it, search it, use its kaomoji and symbol tabs, and what to do when flags turn into letters.
If you have ever wondered how to type emoji on Windows without copying them from a website, the answer is a two-key shortcut that most people never discover. Windows 10 and Windows 11 both include a built-in emoji panel that works in almost any text box, from Word and Outlook to your browser. This guide covers the emoji keyboard shortcut on Windows, how to search, the extra tabs in Windows 11, and the quirks you will run into along the way.
The emoji keyboard shortcut on Windows: Win + .
Click into any text field, then press Win + . (the Windows logo key and the period key). The emoji panel pops up next to your cursor. Pick an emoji and it is inserted where you were typing.
There is also an alternative shortcut: Win + ; (semicolon) opens the same panel. Use whichever is easier to reach on your keyboard layout.
Quick steps
- Place your cursor where you want the emoji.
- Press Win + . or Win + ;.
- Click an emoji, or use the arrow keys and press Enter.
- Press Esc to close the panel.
The panel arrived with the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update in 2017, so any reasonably up-to-date Windows PC has it.
Searching for emojis by name
You do not need to scroll. As soon as the panel is open, just start typing. Type heart and the panel filters to hearts; type laugh and you will see 😂 Face with Tears of Joy and 🤣 Rolling on the Floor Laughing. Press Enter to insert the highlighted result.
Search uses keywords, not just official names, so fire finds 🔥 Fire and party finds 🎉 Party Popper. If a search comes up empty, try a simpler word.
Kaomoji, symbols and more in Windows 11
In Windows 11 the panel is more than an emoji picker. Along the top you will find several tabs:
- Emoji – the full emoji set, grouped into categories with a recently used section.
- GIFs – animated GIF search, which needs an internet connection.
- Kaomoji – Japanese-style text faces such as
(╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻and¯\_(ツ)_/¯. These are plain text, so they work anywhere, even where emojis do not. For a larger set, see our kaomoji collection. - Symbols – punctuation, currency signs, math symbols, Latin and Greek letters, arrows and more. This is the easiest way to type characters like €, ±, → or © without memorising codes.
- Clipboard history – the same history you get with Win + V, if it is turned on.
Windows 10 also has kaomoji and symbols tabs in recent versions, though the layout is simpler.
Changing skin tones
The panel includes a skin tone selector. On Windows, the tone you choose applies to every emoji that supports skin tones, such as 👍 Thumbs Up and 👋 Waving Hand, until you change it again. For the background on how tones work, read emoji skin tones explained.
Using the touch keyboard
On a tablet, 2-in-1 or touchscreen laptop, the touch keyboard has its own emoji button.
- In Windows 11, go to Settings → Personalization → Taskbar and turn on Touch keyboard under system tray icons.
- Tap the keyboard icon in the taskbar to open it.
- Tap the emoji key (a smiley or heart icon) to switch to emojis.
The touch keyboard is also handy with a mouse if you prefer clicking through categories in a larger layout.
Why flags show as letters on Windows
This catches out a lot of people. Pick 🇺🇸 Flag: United States on Windows and you will probably see the letters "US" instead of a flag.
Country flags are made from two special "regional indicator" letters. Phones and Macs combine those letters into a flag image. Microsoft's emoji font, Segoe UI Emoji, does not include country flag artwork, so Windows shows the two letters instead.
The good news: the emoji itself is correct. If you send it to someone on an iPhone or Android phone, they will see the flag. Some apps and browsers that bundle their own emoji font, such as Firefox, can display flags on Windows. Non-country flags such as 🏁 Chequered Flag and 🏳️🌈 Rainbow Flag display normally. Browse the full set on our flags page.
What about Alt codes?
Alt codes (holding Alt and typing a number on the numeric keypad) are an older way of typing special characters. They come from legacy character sets, so they can only produce a small range of symbols. For example, Alt + 3 gives a plain text ♥, not the colorful ❤️ Red Heart.
Alt codes have some real limitations:
- They need a numeric keypad, which many laptops lack.
- They cannot produce modern emojis like 💀 Skull or 🫠 Melting Face.
- Results can depend on the app and keyboard settings.
In Microsoft Word there is a different trick: type an emoji's hexadecimal code, such as 1F602, then press Alt + X to convert it into 😂. Every emoji page on EmojiKey lists the code you need. For most people, though, Win + . is far quicker.
When the emoji panel does not work
The panel works in most modern apps, but you may hit problems in older desktop software, some games, or remote desktop sessions. Try these fixes:
- Make sure the cursor is inside an editable text field before pressing the shortcut.
- Check that Windows is up to date.
- Try the other shortcut, Win + ;.
- Restart the app, or sign out and back in.
Fallback: use an online emoji keyboard
If the panel will not cooperate, or you want to browse emojis on a bigger screen, open the EmojiKey online emoji keyboard. Click any emoji to copy it, then paste it with Ctrl + V. You can also browse by category, find themed sets in our collections, or see what was added recently on the new emojis page.
Switching between a Windows PC and a Mac? Our guide to typing emojis on a Mac covers the equivalent shortcuts.
FAQ
What is the emoji keyboard shortcut on Windows?
Press Win + . (period) or Win + ; (semicolon) in any text field. It works on both Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Why do I see two letters instead of a flag?
Windows' built-in emoji font has no country flag artwork, so it shows the two regional indicator letters. The recipient on another device will usually see the flag.
Can I use Alt codes to type emojis?
Not really. Alt codes only cover a small set of older text symbols. Use the emoji panel, or the hex code plus Alt + X trick in Word.
Does the emoji panel work offline?
Yes. Emojis, kaomoji and symbols work offline. Only the GIF tab needs an internet connection.
Why do emojis look different on Windows?
Windows uses Microsoft's own emoji designs. The characters are the same as on phones, but the artwork is drawn differently.