Hand Emojis 👍👋 Hand Gestures & Their Meanings

Hand emojis say a lot without words: approval 👍, applause 👏, thanks 🙏, peace ✌️, luck 🤞 and love 🫶. Most of them support five skin tones — open any emoji for its variants.

Hand Emojis and their meanings

👍️ Thumbs Up

Thumbs Up means approval, agreement or "OK, got it." It is a quick acknowledgement in work chats and group messages. Be aware that some people read a lone 👍 as curt or passive-aggressive, and in parts of the Middle East and West Africa the gesture can be rude.

👋 Waving Hand

Waving Hand says hello or goodbye. It is a friendly greeting to start or end a conversation.

👌 OK Hand

OK Hand means okay, perfect or fine. Context matters: the gesture can be offensive in some countries.

🤌 Pinched Fingers

Pinched Fingers is the famous Italian hand gesture, roughly "What do you want?" or "What are you saying?" Online it is used to mimic Italian expressiveness or to say something is just perfect.

🤏 Pinching Hand

Pinching Hand holds the thumb and finger close together. It means "a tiny bit" or "this much," and is used for something very small, or jokingly to belittle something.

✌️ Victory Hand

Victory Hand is the peace sign or "V for victory," and a classic photo pose.

🤞 Crossed Fingers

Crossed Fingers means hoping for good luck or wishing for something to happen.

🤟 Love-You Gesture

Love-You Gesture is the American Sign Language sign for "I love you." It is used to send love and support, and is sometimes confused with 🤘.

🤘 Sign of the Horns

Sign of the Horns is the rock and heavy metal salute, meaning "rock on." It is also the "Hook 'em Horns" sign of the University of Texas. In Italy and some Mediterranean countries a similar gesture can imply a cheating spouse.

🤙 Call Me Hand

Call Me Hand is the thumb-and-pinky gesture. It means "call me," or is the "shaka" sign from Hawaii and surf culture meaning "hang loose" or "all good."

👈️ Backhand Index Pointing Left

Backhand Index Pointing Left points to something on the left or earlier in a message. Together with 👉 ("👉👈") it shows shyness or a timid, awkward request.

👉️ Backhand Index Pointing Right

Backhand Index Pointing Right points to whatever comes next — a link, a name or a photo. Paired with 👈 it shows shy, nervous fidgeting.

🖕 Middle Finger

Middle Finger is an offensive gesture meaning "f*** you." It expresses anger or contempt, though friends sometimes use it jokingly. Avoid it in polite or professional conversations.

👇️ Backhand Index Pointing Down

Backhand Index Pointing Down directs attention to something below, like a link, caption or comment section — "check this out below."

☝️ Index Pointing Up

Index Pointing Up means "one moment," "this," or raising a point. It is also used to count "number one" and appears in the "🤓☝️" meme mocking a know-it-all.

🫵 Index Pointing at the Viewer

Index Pointing at the Viewer points straight at you. It means "you," singling someone out — in encouragement, accusation or jokes like "🫵😂" (laughing at you).

✊️ Raised Fist

Raised Fist is a symbol of solidarity, resistance and strength, used in protests and movements such as Black Lives Matter. It also means determination or "stay strong."

👊 Oncoming Fist

Oncoming Fist is a fist coming at you. It can mean a friendly fist bump, solidarity and respect, or a punch.

👏 Clapping Hands

Clapping Hands is applause and praise. Placed between words, it adds emphasis: "Read 👏 the 👏 instructions."

🙌 Raising Hands

Raising Hands celebrates success — "hooray," "praise," or joyful relief.

🫶 Heart Hands

Heart Hands shows love, support and gratitude — the popular hand-heart gesture used by fans and creators.

🤝 Handshake

Handshake represents agreement, a deal, partnership, respect or meeting someone.

🙏 Folded Hands

Folded Hands is used to say please, thank you, or to show prayer and hope. In Japanese culture it means a request or gratitude; elsewhere it is widely used for prayers and "fingers crossed" wishes. Some people read it as a high five.

💪 Flexed Biceps

Flexed Biceps shows strength, effort, motivation and fitness — "you've got this" or "gym time."

👎️ Thumbs Down · 🤚 Raised Back of Hand · 🖐️ Hand with Fingers Splayed · ✋️ Raised Hand · 🖖 Vulcan Salute · 🫱 Rightwards Hand · 🫲 Leftwards Hand · 🫳 Palm Down Hand · 🫴 Palm Up Hand · 🫷 Leftwards Pushing Hand · 🫸 Rightwards Pushing Hand · 🫰 Hand with Index Finger and Thumb Crossed · 👆️ Backhand Index Pointing Up · 🤛 Left-Facing Fist · 🤜 Right-Facing Fist · 👐 Open Hands · 🤲 Palms Up Together · ✍️ Writing Hand · 💅 Nail Polish

👍 Hand Emojis: Copy & Paste

43 hand emojis to copy

Hand emoji combos