Red heart emoji
The classic red heart ❤️ — love, support and “sending love” — and the one small technicality that makes it show as a plain black heart in some apps.
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What the red heart emoji means
❤️ is the heart everyone reaches for first: love, support, “sending love”, a reaction to good news. It is romantic when the conversation is, and plain warmth when it is not — under a friend’s photo it means “lovely”, in a message to a partner it means what it says. It sits at the centre of the whole heart family, with the coloured hearts taking on the shades it does not cover.
Unicode name: red heart · U+2764 U+FE0F · Emoji 0.6 (original set) · group: Smileys & Emotion.
How people use it
- Love: to partners and family, the default heart
- Support: under a post about a hard time
- Reaction: the heart button in most apps sends ❤️
- Emphasis: “❤️ this song”
Compare the options
| Emoji | Name | Use it for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| red heartU+2764 U+FE0F | Red heart, the emoji | The one you usually want | |
| heart suitU+2665 U+FE0F | Heart suit — the playing-card symbol | Often renders as a small flat heart | |
| heart exclamationU+2763 U+FE0F | Heart exclamation: “love this!” | Emphatic | |
| heart on fireU+2764 U+FE0F U+200D U+1F525 | Heart on fire: passion | See the fire emoji guide |
The red heart on Snapchat
On Snapchat, the red heart ❤️ appears next to a friend’s name when you have been each other’s #1 best friend for two weeks in a row. It shows a close friendship on the app and is not necessarily romantic — it simply means you interact with that person more than anyone else, and they do the same with you.
This is different from the pink hearts, which appear after two months as each other’s #1 best friend, or the yellow heart, which marks you as each other’s #1 best friend before it turns red. For a full rundown, see the Snapchat emoji meanings guide.
Design and colour variations
The red heart’s exact shade varies slightly across platforms, so it may look brighter or deeper depending on where you view it. There is no separate dark red heart emoji in the standard set — the variation comes from the platform’s design, not from a different character.
Because of its simple, readable shape, the red heart can be used as a logo mark or in branding and is instantly understood.
Chat examples
Real messages with ❤️, and a reply that fits.
landed safely, love you ❤️
❤️❤️ sleep well
happy anniversary ❤️
best years of my life
that post ❤️
thank you!
Questions people ask
Why does my red heart look black?
You have the character without its variation selector, or you copied ♥️ (heart suit). Some apps then draw a plain text heart. The card on this page copies the full emoji sequence.
What does ❤️ mean from a friend?
Warmth and support. Between friends a red heart is not a romantic signal unless the conversation already is.
What does the red heart mean on Snapchat?
On Snapchat, the red heart next to a friend’s name means you’ve been each other’s #1 best friend for two consecutive weeks. It’s a sign of a strong, mutual best-friend status, not necessarily romantic interest.
Is there a dark red heart emoji?
There is no separate dark red heart emoji in the standard set; the red heart ❤️ may appear darker or lighter depending on the platform, but it is the same character.
Can I use the red heart emoji as a logo?
Yes, the red heart emoji can be used in logos and branding, but for commercial use it’s best to check the specific artwork’s licensing or create your own version.
What does the red heart with a dot mean?
If you see a red heart with a dot below, it’s the heart exclamation emoji ❣️. That dot is actually an exclamation mark, blending a red heart with a burst of excitement. The standard red heart ❤️ never includes a dot on its own.
What does “red heart on Snap” mean?
On Snapchat, a red heart appears next to a friend’s name when you’ve been each other’s #1 best friend for two weeks in a row. It’s the same ❤️ emoji you already know, just used by the app to mark that top friendship status.
How can I use the red heart in a cute way?
To make a cute red heart, pair ❤️ with soft or sparkly emoji like ✨, 🌸, or 🥰. Sending “❤️✨” feels playful and decorative, while “❤️🥺” adds a touch of tenderness. The red heart itself is already sweet, so small combinations keep it from feeling too intense.
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.
