Emoji keyboard shortcuts
One shortcut per device opens the emoji keyboard: Win + . on Windows, Control + Command + Space on a Mac. Here is every platform, including Outlook.
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The shortcut for every device
| Device | Shortcut | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 10 / 11 | Win + . (period) or Win + ; | Opens the emoji panel in any text field, including Outlook, Teams and browsers; type to search |
| macOS | Control + Command + Space | Opens the Character Viewer; newer keyboards also have a 🌐 / fn key that opens it |
| iPhone / iPad | Tap the 😀 or 🌐 key on the keyboard | Search field at the top of the emoji keyboard on recent iOS versions |
| Android (Gboard) | Tap the 😀 key left of the space bar | Or long-press the comma / Enter key on some layouts |
| ChromeOS | Search + Shift + Space | Also via right-click → Emoji |
| Any device | Copy from this site | Every card copies the exact Unicode character |
All of these insert standard Unicode emoji, the same characters this directory lists, so what you type on one device is what the recipient sees on theirs, drawn in their font. There is no separate “Outlook emoji” or “Windows emoji”; the app just decides how to draw the character.
Emoji in Outlook
Outlook has no special emoji code of its own, and the fastest route on Windows is the system panel: put the cursor in the message body and press Win + .. The web version and the new Outlook also have an emoji button in the compose toolbar (Insert → Emoji, or the smiley icon). On a Mac, use Control + Command + Space as in any other app. Classic Outlook on Windows also offers Insert → Symbol, but the system panel is quicker and searchable.
- Click into the message body (the shortcut does nothing in the subject line on some versions).
- Press Win + . (Windows) or Control + Command + Space (Mac).
- Type a word such as “thumbs” or “fire”, choose the emoji, press Enter.
- If the recipient sees a box, their mail client lacks that emoji; older characters such as 👍 and ✅ are the safest in email.
When the panel doesn’t open
- Windows: the shortcut needs a text field focused; on older Windows 10 builds the panel is English-language only unless the input language is changed.
- Mac: if Control + Command + Space does nothing, check System Settings → Keyboard for the “Press 🌐 key to” option and set it to “Show Emoji & Symbols”.
- Any device: copy the character from this site instead — the directory search finds any emoji by name, and the random emoji generator is a quick way to browse.
The About page keeps a short version of this table; this page is the full reference.
Troubleshooting
What is the emoji shortcut on Windows?
Windows key + . (period) or Windows key + ; (semicolon). It opens a searchable emoji panel in any text field.
What is the emoji shortcut on a Mac?
Control + Command + Space opens the emoji picker. On keyboards with a 🌐 (globe) key, pressing it does the same.
How do I insert an emoji in Outlook?
Click in the message body and press Win + . on Windows or Control + Command + Space on a Mac. Outlook on the web and the new Outlook also have an emoji button in the toolbar.
Why does my emoji look different to the recipient?
Each device draws emoji in its own font. The character is identical; only the artwork changes.
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.
