Partly cloudy emoji ⛅
The partly cloudy emoji ⛅ is named “sun behind cloud”. It is used for partly cloudy skies or something that is mixed or moderate.
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What the partly cloudy emoji means
The emoji ⛅ is named “sun behind cloud”, and it is the standard emoji for a sky that is partly covered with cloud. It sits between the full sun and the fully clouded sky, so it signals conditions that are neither completely clear nor completely overcast. The symbol shows a sun that is still visible but partly hidden by a cloud, which is why it also carries a sense of something moderate or mixed.
Officially, it is called “sun behind cloud”, but most people know it as the partly cloudy emoji. It sits in the sky and weather category of standard emoji keyboards, between the sun and cloud symbols.
How people use the partly cloudy emoji
The most common use is to report the current weather or a forecast. It appears in text messages, social media posts, and weather apps to say the sky is partly covered.
Because the symbol mixes sun and cloud, people also use it to describe a lukewarm feeling about a plan, a day that is fine but not amazing, or a mood that is okay but with some hesitation.
- Forecasts: “Tomorrow will be ⛅ with a high of 18°C.”
- Feelings: “I’m feeling ⛅ about the presentation, not bad but not confident.”
- Plans: “The festival was ⛅, fun but a bit disorganised.”
Compare sun behind cloud with similar emoji
| Emoji | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| sun behind cloudU+26C5 | Combines sun and cloud for partly cloudy skies | |
| full moonU+1F315 | A bright full moon for clear night skies | |
| crescent moonU+1F319 | A sliver of moon, often used for sleep or night | |
| new moonU+1F311 | The moon when it is not visible from Earth | |
| last quarter moonU+1F317 | The waning half moon, used in night forecasts |
How to type and copy the partly cloudy emoji
The sun behind cloud emoji is included in standard emoji keyboards on most phones and computers. On phones, tap the emoji icon and search for “partly cloudy” or “sun behind cloud”. On desktops, use the emoji picker (Windows key + . on Windows, or Control + Command + Space on Mac) and type the same search terms.
Copy the ⛅ symbol by long-pressing it on a phone or selecting it on a computer, then choose Copy.
If you need a larger set of weather symbols, see the weather emoji list, the cloud emoji and sun emoji pages for more options.
How the partly cloudy emoji differs from other sky emoji
The weather group includes a sun, several clouds, rain, snow, and moon phases. The partly cloudy emoji combines a sun with a cloud, so it sits between a clear day and a fully cloudy one.
If the sky is fully covered, you would use the cloud emoji; for heavy rain, the cloud with rain emoji is more accurate. The moon emojis are for night-time forecasts or astronomy, not for daytime conditions.
See the comparison table on this page for a quick reference to the closest options.
Questions people ask
What does the partly cloudy emoji mean?
It shows sun behind cloud and means the sky is partly covered, or a situation is mixed.
Is there a difference between partly cloudy and partly sunny?
The emoji is officially named “sun behind cloud”; “partly cloudy” is a common description. Forecast terminology can vary, but the emoji generally means the same mix of sun and cloud.
How do I type the partly cloudy emoji?
Use the emoji keyboard and search for “partly cloudy” or “sun behind cloud”.
What is the Unicode name for the partly cloudy emoji?
It is officially called “sun behind cloud” and has code point U+26C5.
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.
