Sad emoji
Copy a sad emoji that matches the feeling: pensive 😔, disappointed 😞, a small frown 🙁, a full frown ☹️, or a single tear 😢.
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Five sad faces and the feeling behind each
Sadness has more shades than most emotions, and the standard emoji set reflects that. 😔 (pensive face) is quiet, reflective sadness, the one you send when you are down but not dramatic. 😞 (disappointed face) is let-down, dejected. 🙁 (slightly frowning face) is mild displeasure and ☹️ (frowning face) is a stronger, older-style frown. 😢 (crying face) adds a single tear for real hurt or sympathy.
If you are looking for the loud, tear-streaming face, that is 😭 in the crying emoji guide. For heartbreak specifically, 💔 in the broken heart emoji guide is often clearer than any face.
Compare the options
| Emoji | Name | Use it for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| pensive faceU+1F614 | Low mood, regret, “sigh” | Can also read as guilt or embarrassment | |
| disappointed faceU+1F61E | Disappointment, dejection | Slightly stronger than 😔 | |
| slightly frowning faceU+1F641 | Mild sadness, small disapproval | Very light; may look sarcastic in serious moments | |
| frowning faceU+2639 U+FE0F | Clear unhappiness | Text-style character; some apps show it in black and white without the ️ selector | |
| crying faceU+1F622 | Hurt, sympathy, “that’s sad” | Sincere; avoid for jokes |
Sending sadness without making it awkward
- Replying to someone else’s bad news: 😢 or 😔 plus a sentence. The face alone can feel like you had nothing to say.
- Talking about your own day: 😔 is the safest; it is sad without asking for a big response.
- Cancelling plans or missing out: 🙁 or 😞 keep it light.
- Really upset: words first, then a face if you want one. 😭 is fine among close friends.
Questions people ask
What is the saddest emoji?
Among the faces, 😭 (loudly crying) is the most intense, followed by 😢. For a quieter sadness most people use 😔 or 😞.
Why does ☹️ sometimes appear in black and white?
Frowning face is an older text symbol (U+2639). The ️ variation selector asks for the colour emoji version; without it some apps draw a plain glyph. The copy button here includes the selector.
Is 😔 sad or embarrassed?
Mostly sad or regretful, but the downcast eyes make it work for embarrassment too. Context decides.
