Birthday emoji
Cake, balloons, gifts and the partying face: the birthday emoji, with message combos that feel personal.
Published ยท Updated
The birthday set
๐ (birthday cake) is the one emoji that means birthday on its own; Snapchat even uses it as the friend emoji for someoneโs birthday. ๐ (balloon), ๐ (wrapped gift) and ๐ฅณ (partying face) fill out the scene, with ๐ฐ (shortcake) for a slice, ๐ฏ๏ธ for candles, ๐๐ for the celebration and ๐ง for cupcakes. Everything you need for a message is here; the trick is arranging it so it does not look like every other birthday text.
Compare the options
| Emoji | Name | Use it for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| birthday cakeU+1F382 | Birthday, the cake | The essential one | |
| partying faceU+1F973 | The birthday person, a party | Newer; may not render | |
| balloonU+1F388 | Balloons, kidsโ parties, lightness | Also used for โhappy anniversaryโ | |
| wrapped giftU+1F381 | Presents, wish lists | Also Christmas โ see the Christmas guide | |
| shortcake / cupcakeU+1F370 ยท U+1F9C1 | A slice, cupcakes | Sweeter, smaller | |
| party popper / confetti ballU+1F389 ยท U+1F38A | Celebration | See the party emoji guide |
Birthday messages that donโt look copied
| Tone | Combo | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Warm | ๐โค๏ธ | Happy birthday, hope itโs a good one ๐โค๏ธ |
| Fun | ๐ฅณ๐๐ | Itโs your day ๐ฅณ๐๐ |
| Milestone | ๐๐ฅโจ | Thirty looks good on you ๐๐ฅโจ |
| Kids | ๐๐๐ง | Happy 5th birthday ๐๐๐ง |
| Late | ๐๐ | Belated happy birthday ๐๐ |
| Group card | ๐๐๐ | Happy birthday from all of us ๐๐๐ |
Three emoji is the sweet spot; a full row reads as a template. Build your own in the combo studio.
Milestones and ages
- 1st birthday: ๐1๏ธโฃ๐ โ keycap numbers spell the age
- 18th and 21st: ๐๐ฅ๐ โ the key for โcoming of ageโ
- 30th, 40th, 50th: ๐โจ๐ with the number in words or keycaps
- Half-birthdays and pets: ๐๐ถ or ๐ง
Keycap numbers such as 2๏ธโฃ1๏ธโฃ are joined sequences of a digit and a keycap symbol; they display on every modern device and are the neatest way to put an age in emoji.
Chat examples
Real messages with ๐, and a reply that fits.
happy birthday ๐๐
thank you ๐ฅณ
cake at 3 ๐
there
๐ sent you something
!!
Questions people ask
Which emoji means happy birthday?
๐ birthday cake. On its own it says birthday; add ๐ ๐ or ๐ฅณ for the party.
What does ๐ mean on Snapchat?
It appears next to a friendโs name on their birthday, according to Snapchatโs own friend-emoji list.
Is there a birthday candle emoji?
๐ฏ๏ธ candle, and the cake ๐ already has candles on most designs.
About this guide
Written and maintained by the Emoji Directory editorial team, without ads or sponsorship. Meanings describe how the emoji is commonly used in public posts and messages, not an official definition. Names, code points, versions, keywords and translations come from the Unicode Emoji 18.0 and CLDR data; shortcodes from the gemoji project. Last reviewed . Spotted a mistake or a new usage? Tell us, or read how the directory is made.
