Kaomoji and text emoticons
Kaomoji and text emoticons are faces made from punctuation, letters and symbols. Browse popular examples like :3, ._., and =) and learn what each one means.
Published · Updated
What are kaomoji and text emoticons?
Kaomoji are faces created from keyboard characters, often read upright in the Japanese style, such as (^_^) or (╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻. Text emoticons, the western equivalent, are usually read sideways, like :) or ;). Both are older than graphical emoji and are still used for their charm and simplicity.
While emoji are colourful, standardised pictographs, text emoticons rely on the reader’s imagination. They can be typed on any device without needing an emoji picker, which makes them useful in plain-text contexts or for a retro feel.
Common western emoticons and their meanings
Several classic text emoticons are still used in messages and forums. Here are a few you’ll see often:
- :) or =) — a smile; the =) version uses an equals sign for eyes
- :( or =( — a frown or sadness
- ;) or ;-) — a wink, often flirtatious or joking
- :D or =D — a wide grin or laughter
- :P or :p — a tongue sticking out, usually playful or cheeky
- :O or :o — surprise or shock
- :| or :/ — scepticism, indifference, or mild disappointment
The =) meaning is the same as :), just with a different eye style. The :p emoticon adds a tongue for a slightly cheekier tone.
Cute kaomoji: :3, ._., heart eyes and more
Cute kaomoji often use letters or symbols to suggest adorable expressions. The :3 face is a prime example — the 3 looks like a cat’s mouth or a pout, giving it a sweet, playful feel. It’s commonly associated with cats or affection.
- ._. — a neutral or slightly downbeat face, sometimes used for awkward silence
- ^_^ — a happy face with closed, smiling eyes
- =^.^= — a cat face with whiskers
- (♥_♥) — heart eyes kaomoji, expressing love or infatuation
- •ᴗ• — a soft, gentle smile
Some kaomoji, such as ᵔᴥᵔ or ˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶, add a subtle, delicate tone to messages. Heart kaomoji, such as (｡♥‿♥｡), combine hearts with a face for extra affection.
Themed kaomoji and how to use them
Kaomoji can represent animals, objects, or moods beyond simple faces. You can add symbols like hearts, stars, or flames to a face to change its tone.
Mood-specific faces like (¬_¬) for disapproval or (T_T) for tears extend the range beyond simple happiness or sadness. You can also combine a face with arrows or symbols to create a mini scene, though simpler faces are easier to read in small text. Placing one at the end of a sentence can soften a blunt remark or add warmth to a casual chat.
To copy and paste kaomoji, simply highlight the face and use your device’s copy function. On desktop, you can right-click and copy; on mobile, long-press and select copy. Some apps and websites also include kaomoji libraries.
Special kaomoji: rat, fire, and tiny faces
Beyond common smiles and cute faces, kaomoji can represent specific animals or dramatic effects. A rat kaomoji can use a mouse-like face with an added tail, such as ^•ﻌ•^~. Fire kaomoji use flame symbols like ♨ or 炎 to suggest heat or intensity, as in (♨‿♨). Tiny text faces like (｡•̀ᴗ-)✧ or (￣▽￣) work well when you want a discreet expression.
These specialised faces work well in themed conversations or when adding a playful touch to a message. You can copy them like any other text — highlight and use your device’s copy function.
Questions people ask
What does :3 mean?
The :3 face is a cute kaomoji that resembles a cat’s mouth or a pout. It’s often used to express playfulness, affection, or a soft, happy feeling.
How do I type kaomoji?
You can type kaomoji using regular keyboard characters, such as parentheses, carets, underscores, and letters. Many are short and easy to memorise, like :) or ^_^.
What are western emoticons?
Western emoticons are sideways faces made from punctuation, like :) for a smile or :( for a frown. They differ from Japanese kaomoji, which are often read upright and use more elaborate characters.
What is the difference between emoji and kaomoji?
Emoji are colourful, standardised pictographs built into devices, while kaomoji are text-based faces created by the user from ordinary characters. Kaomoji work in plain text and can be easily customised.
What is the meaning of =)?
The =) emoticon means the same as :). The equals sign replaces the colon as the eyes, giving a slightly different look. It conveys a happy or friendly tone.
How can I copy and paste a cat font or cat kaomoji?
Cat kaomoji like =^.^= or (^･ｪ･^) are just text, so you can copy them like any other characters. Highlight the face and use your device’s copy function, or on some websites clicking the kaomoji copies it automatically.
What were popular 2000s emoticons?
Common 2000s emoticons included :), :D, ;), :P, and :O. These sideways faces were common in early chat rooms, forums, and text messages, and many are still used today.
What is an ASCII wink?
An ASCII wink is a text emoticon like ;) or ;-) made from basic keyboard characters. The semicolon acts as a winking eye, and it’s often used to show playfulness, sarcasm, or a shared joke.
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.
