Loading emoji
There is no spinner emoji, so people use ⏳ ⌛ 🔄. Copy them here and see which one says “in progress”.
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What the loading emoji means
There is no spinner emoji, so “loading” is expressed with time symbols. ⏳ (hourglass not done) means in progress, waiting, “please hold”; ⌛ (hourglass done) means time is up — Snapchat uses it for a streak about to end. 🔄 (counterclockwise arrows) is refresh, repeat, syncing. ⏱️ is a stopwatch and the clock faces 🕐–🕧 show times. ⏳ is the usual “brb, loading”.
Unicode name: hourglass not done · U+23F3 · Emoji 0.6 (original set) · group: Travel & Places.
How people use it
- In progress: ⏳
- Refreshing: 🔄
- Time’s up: ⌛
- Timers: ⏱️
- Snapchat: ⌛ streak warning — see the Snapchat guide
Compare the options
| Emoji | Name | Use it for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| hourglass not doneU+23F3 | Loading, waiting | Sand still falling | |
| hourglass doneU+231B | Done, time’s up | Sand at the bottom | |
| counterclockwise arrows buttonU+1F504 | Refresh, sync, repeat | See the arrow emoji guide | |
| stopwatchU+23F1 U+FE0F | Timing |
Chat examples
Real messages with ⏳, and a reply that fits.
still waiting ⏳
patience
⌛ almost done
great
🔄 loading…
😂
Questions people ask
Is there a loading emoji?
Not a spinner. ⏳ is what people use for “loading” or “waiting”; 🔄 for refreshing.
What is the difference between ⏳ and ⌛?
⏳ has sand still running (in progress); ⌛ has run out (finished).
What is the hourglass emoji?
The hourglass emoji is either ⏳ (hourglass not done) or ⌛ (hourglass done). Both are used for waiting or time.
How do I use the hourglass emoji?
Use ⏳ for work in progress or “just a moment”, and ⌛ when something has finished or time has run out. A short message like “Uploading ⏳” signals that you’re still working on it.
Can I use ⏳ to tell someone I’m busy?
Yes. A friend might send ⏳ to mean “give me a minute” or “still working on it.” It works well in quick replies when you don’t have time for a full message.
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.
