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 |
For single faces in more depth see the disappointed face, frowning face and worried face guides.
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.
Text faces you can copy
Plain-character faces that paste anywhere. Tap one to copy.
- teary
- down
- upset
- sigh
- gloomy
- disappointed
Sad emoji as a meme and funny reactions
Sad faces are a staple of meme culture, and the pensive face 😔 and crying face 😢 often appear in ironic captions about everyday disappointments. A classic example is ‘when you open the fridge and there’s no food 😔’, where the face adds a layer of self-deprecating humour. The frowning face ☹️ also works for comedic overreaction. Depressed emoji memes frequently pair 😔 or 😞 with darkly humorous text to express that low-energy feeling.
For a more playful twist, people combine a sad face with other emoji, like 😔✌️ or 😢🔥, creating a funny sad emoji contrast. Emo and scene communities also adopt these faces to express moodiness, often alongside black hearts 🖤 or lightning bolts ⚡. If you want to express strong disapproval, pair a sad face with a thumbs down 👎.
From depressed to resigned: words for deeper sadness
When sadness feels heavy, people reach for different words. The emojis above can express feeling depressed, miserable, or hopeless. For a sense of despair or devastation, 😢 or 😭 might be more appropriate, though the emoji itself remains simple.
Other adjectives like melancholy, desolate, and resigned describe a quieter acceptance. The pensive face captures that well: a face that isn’t crying but looks downward, as if carrying a lot. A sad face can also accompany words like gloomy, downcast, or heartbroken when you want to describe your mood. Pairing any of these faces with a short phrase like ‘rough day’ or ‘not feeling it’ is a common way to share how you feel without going into detail.
The sad eyes emoji: 😔 and the downcast looks
When someone looks for a sad eyes emoji, they usually mean a face where the eyes turn downward in a quiet, melancholy way. 😔 (pensive face) is a classic example: sad, downcast eyes and a small frown convey subdued sadness rather than loud tears. 😞 (disappointed face) also has a drooping expression, but it reads more like let-down than deep sorrow. 😢 (crying face) shows a single tear falling from one eye.
These faces work well for expressing a low mood without making a big statement. For instance, “Feeling a bit off today 😔” adds a soft, reflective tone. If someone cancels plans and you’re bummed, “That’s a shame 😞” shows you’re disappointed but not angry. The key is that sad eyes emojis are understated; for louder grief, you’d switch to 😭 or add words that say more.
Chat examples
Real messages with 😔, and a reply that fits.
didn’t get the job 😔
their loss, honestly. call you tonight?
rain cancelled the picnic 😞
we’ll do it indoors, blanket and all
last day at the old office 🙁
new chapter though ✨
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.
What does a droopy smiley face mean?
A droopy smiley face usually refers to ☹️, which has a downturned mouth and indicates sadness or disappointment. It’s a softer way to show you’re feeling down without being overly dramatic.
Are there red or blue sad emojis?
Emojis are standardised with yellow faces, so there is no official red or blue sad face. Some apps offer stickers or reactions in other colours, but the emoji itself stays yellow. You can copy the standard version here.
How does the sad emoji look on Android?
Android devices render sad emojis in their own style, which may differ from other platforms, but the meaning stays the same. Copying the emoji here gives the standard character.
Which emoji should I use if I’m feeling devastated or in misery?
For deep distress, 😭 (loudly crying face) is the most intense, conveying overwhelming sadness. 😢 (crying face) works for strong but quieter upset. If you’re sharing a longer, subdued sorrow, 😔 or the broken heart 💔 may fit.
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.
