Eyes emoji
Copy the eyes emoji 👀 and learn what it means in a reply, a comment or a story: I saw that, I’m watching, or spill the details.
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What 👀 means
👀 (eyes) is a pair of eyes glancing to one side, and almost everything it means comes from that sideways look. As a reply it says I noticed. Under a post it says I’m watching this or waiting to see what happens. In gossip it means tell me more. It is one of the most flexible reaction emoji because it commits to nothing beyond attention.
Because the eyes look sideways, 👀 is also the most common stand-in for the “side eye”, which has its own page in the side eye emoji guide. It is not the same as 👁️, the single eye, which is a different character with a more literal, sometimes eerie feel; that one is in the eye emoji guide.
Compare the options
| Emoji | Name | Use it for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| eyesU+1F440 | Noticing, curiosity, anticipation, mild suspicion | So flexible it can be unclear; add a word if it matters | |
| eyeU+1F441 U+FE0F | One eye; watching, seeing, or the “all-seeing” vibe | Different character; more literal or spooky | |
| unamused faceU+1F612 | Judgemental side glance | Negative where 👀 is neutral | |
| face with peeking eyeU+1FAE3 | Peeking through fingers; can’t look, must look | Newer; check device support |
Common uses
- Reacting to a hint: “new job? 👀”
- Comment on a teaser post: “👀” alone, meaning “I’m interested”.
- Reading the room: “👀 who’s going to tell him”.
- Flirting lightly: “that photo 👀”.
- Work chat: “👀 on it” means “I’ve seen the request and I’m looking at it”.
Text faces you can copy
Plain-character faces that paste anywhere. Tap one to copy.
- staring
- wide eyes
- look of disapproval
- looking
- glancing
The 👀 meme and other eyes in culture
👀 has become a staple reaction meme, often used to signal curiosity, suspicion, or mild intrigue. In internet culture, it accompanies phrases like “I’m watching” or “interesting” and frequently appears in comment sections to show that someone is paying close attention. The sideways glance gives it a slightly sneaky, “sus” feel.
The meme often pairs 👀 with other emoji to build a reaction: “👀🍿” suggests watching drama unfold.
Big eyes, googly eyes, and other eye variations
There is no dedicated “big eyes” or “googly eyes” emoji, but users often borrow faces with exaggerated or dramatic eye designs. 😍 (heart eyes), 😳 (flushed face), and 🤩 (star-struck) can all stand in for “big eyes” reactions. The single 👁️ is often called the eyeball emoji and is used when a more literal or eerie eye is needed.
The 👀 emoji itself is sometimes described as “open eyes” or “staring eyes” because the eyes are wide and unblinking. There is no blue-eyed emoji; emoji eyes are typically rendered in black. Other eye-focused faces include 🤨 (face with raised eyebrow) and 🙄 (face with rolling eyes), though they carry their own meanings. In plain text, big eyes are often written as O.O or 0.0.
For a cheerful “smiley eyes” look, 😄 (grinning face with smiling eyes) or 😊 (smiling face with smiling eyes) are the closest matches.
Eye variations and related expressions
Some situations call for a different kind of eye expression. For “eyes looking around”, there is no dedicated character; people repeat 👀 or pair it with a face like 😳 to suggest scanning. For a “huge eyes” effect, use a wide-eyed face like 😳 (flushed face) or 😮 (surprised face) instead of 👀. “Squiggly eyes” aren’t an official emoji, but 😵 and 😵💫 convey a similar unsettled or hypnotised look.
Chat examples
Real messages with 👀, and a reply that fits.
new message from him 👀
read it out loud right now
the group chat went quiet 👀
something happened, I can feel it
someone’s online at 3am 👀
mind your business 😅
Questions people ask
What does 👀 mean from a girl or a guy?
The same thing from anyone: attention. Whether it is flirty, curious or suspicious depends on what it replies to, not on who sends it.
Is 👀 the side eye emoji?
It is the emoji most people use for the side eye, but there is no official side eye character. See the side eye guide for the alternatives.
What is the difference between 👀 and 👁️?
👀 is two eyes (U+1F440) and is casual and playful. 👁️ is one eye (U+1F441 with a variation selector) and feels more literal or ominous.
What does the big eyes emoji mean?
“Big eyes” usually refers to emoji like 😳 (flushed face) or 🤩 (star-struck), which have dramatic eye designs. They show shock, excitement, or being impressed. 👀 itself is sometimes called “big eyes” because the eyes dominate the design.
What does the eyeball emoji mean on Snapchat?
Snapchat’s friend emojis (the ones next to usernames) do not include an eyeball or eyes emoji. When someone sends 👀 or 👁️ in a chat or snap, it simply means they’re paying attention or find something interesting—there is no special Snapchat-specific meaning.
What is the double eye emoji?
The double eye emoji is 👀, which shows two eyes together, unlike the single 👁️. The double eye is used in casual conversation to signal “I’m watching” or “I see”, while the single eye can feel more intense or literal.
What does the two eyes emoji mean?
The two eyes emoji 👀 is a pair of eyes glancing sideways. When it’s the only emoji in a message, it means “I see” or “I’m watching” — a neutral, attentive reaction.
Is there a staring emoji?
👀 is often used for staring, but its eyes are angled to the side. For a direct stare, the single eye 👁️ or a shocked face like 😳 can be more intense.
What are smiley eyes?
Smiley eyes are the curved or closed eyes from smiling faces, like 😊 or 😄. The eyes emoji 👀 is neutral and does not smile.
Is there an emoji for looking or observing?
There is no specific “I am looking” emoji, but 👀 is the natural choice for observation. Add 🔍 or 🕵️ to show you’re actively searching.
What is the stare emoji?
The stare emoji is usually just 👀 used to show a fixed, unblinking look. It can mean “I’m watching you”, “keep talking”, or “I can’t look away”.
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.
