Middle finger emoji
The middle finger π is exactly what it looks like β but between friends it is mostly a joke. Copy it in any skin tone here.
Published Β· Updated
What the middle finger emoji means
π (middle finger) means what the gesture means: a rude βget lostβ. It was added in Emoji 1.0 (2015), though Apple did not draw it until iOS 9.1 later that year and some platforms held out longer, so for a while it showed as a box for many people. It supports all five skin tones.
How rude it is depends entirely on who sends it. Between close friends it is a joke and often affectionate (βπ love youβ). Aimed at anyone else it is an insult, and in a work or public context it can cause real trouble. If you want the same energy with a smile, π€ or π are the safer versions.
Compare the options
| Emoji | Name | Use it for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| middle fingerU+1F595 | The insult; a joke between close friends | Genuinely rude outside close relationships | |
| face with steam from noseU+1F624 | Huffing, defiance | See the angry emoji guide | |
| face with symbols on mouthU+1F92C | Swearing | As rude, less specific | |
| face with rolling eyesU+1F644 | Exasperation | See the eye roll guide | |
| victory handU+270C U+FE0F | Peace β the polar opposite | See the peace sign guide |
When people send it
- Friendly banter: βππβ after a teasing message.
- Venting about something: βMondays πβ.
- Genuine anger: rare in practice, because it ends conversations.
- Never: work, family groups, customer service, anywhere screenshots happen.
Some platforms soften it in transit: certain keyboards hide it behind a long-press, and a few chat apps once blocked it in usernames. If it arrives as a box, the recipientβs device predates 2015 or their app filters it; there is no alternative character with the same meaning.
Slang and alternative names
People also call this gesture the flip off emoji or the bird finger emoji. The middle finger emoji meme often appears when someone wants to show frustration or sarcasm without typing a long reply.
Some people call it the fuck emoji, but it means this same hand gesture. The default colour is yellow, and there is no red version; skin tone modifiers let you choose a different shade if you wish.
You can copy the emoji as text from the boxes.
Skin tones in practice
The middle finger emoji supports all five skin tones. Each skin tone is a separate sequence: the base emoji followed by a modifier character. When you copy from the cards above, the correct sequence is copied, so pasting into a chat or document keeps the right tone.
For example, ππ» is the light skin tone and ππ½ is the medium skin tone. You can use any of the five variations in the same way as the default emoji; the meaning remains the same. The skin tone only changes the appearance of the hand, not the gesture.
Chat examples
Real messages with π, and a reply that fits.
Monday π
same
that referee π
robbed us
the alarm at 5am π
brutal
Questions people ask
Is the middle finger emoji offensive?
Yes, by definition. Among close friends it is usually a joke, but anywhere else it is an insult and should be treated as one.
Why couldnβt I see the middle finger emoji on my iPhone?
Apple added it in iOS 9.1 (2015), after Unicode included it. Very old devices still cannot display it.
Does the middle finger have skin tones?
Yes, all five modifiers, each a separate two-code-point sequence. The cards above copy them exactly.
What is another name for the middle finger emoji?
Itβs often called the flip off emoji or the fuck emoji.
Is there a red middle finger emoji?
No, the emoji is yellow by default; you can choose a skin tone, but there is no red version.
What does the flipping off emoji mean?
The flipping off emoji is the middle finger emoji π, used to show the same offensive hand gesture.
Is there a fuck emoji?
Yesβthe middle finger emoji π is often nicknamed the fuck emoji. It is the standard way to show the offensive gesture in a single character.
What does pointing with middle finger mean?
Pointing with middle finger describes the exact gesture shown by the middle finger emoji π: raising the middle finger while keeping the other fingers down.
Does the middle finger emoji work on Facebook?
Yes, Facebook supports the middle finger emoji π like other emoji.
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.
