Side eye emoji
There is no official โside eyeโ emoji. Copy the four people use for it โ ๐, ๐, ๐ and ๐คจ โ and see which kind of side eye each one gives.
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Which emoji is the side eye?
โSide eyeโ describes a look, not a Unicode character, so people map it onto several emoji. ๐ (eyes) is the most common: two eyes glancing to the side, used for โI saw thatโ, โsuspiciousโ or โwhoโs going to say something?โ. ๐ (unamused face) is the judgemental side eye. ๐ (face with rolling eyes) is exasperated. ๐คจ (face with raised eyebrow) is sceptical, a raised-eyebrow โreally?โ.
If you want the eyes on their own, the eyes emoji guide covers ๐ in depth, and the eye emoji guide explains the single eye ๐๏ธ, which is a different character with a different feel.
Compare the options
| Emoji | Name | Use it for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| eyesU+1F440 | Noticing, suspicion, โspill the teaโ | Also just means โlookingโ or โIโm watching thisโ | |
| unamused faceU+1F612 | Judgement, unimpressed | Reads as cold rather than playful | |
| face with rolling eyesU+1F644 | Exasperation, โhere we go againโ | Can come across as rude to the person you send it to | |
| face with raised eyebrowU+1F928 | Doubt, โare you serious?โ | Newer; may not render on old devices |
Reading the tone
The side eye emoji are almost always aimed at a third party or a situation, not at the person you are messaging. Sending ๐ or ๐ directly in reply to someone tends to read as an insult unless you are close. ๐ is the safest because it is ambiguous: it can be playful curiosity as easily as suspicion.
Text faces you can copy
Plain-character faces that paste anywhere. Tap one to copy.
- side eye
- knowing side eye
- glance
- judging
- disapproval
Side eye emoji as a meme
The eyes emoji ๐ is often used in messages and social media as a playful or suspicious reaction. It can signal doubt, judgement, or โI see what you did there.โ For example, a friend might send โon my wayโ and then ๐ after a long pause, implying they are not really on their way. The emoji works as a light-hearted way to call out inconsistency without typing more words.
Shifty eyes and other side eye variants
Shifty eyes is another common name for ๐. The emoji shows two eyes glancing sideways, which is where the name comes from. It works for โlooking aroundโ reactions: โWho said that?โ โWhere did I put my keys?โ
Plain-text emoticons like >_> or -_- can be used instead of the emoji to show a sideways glance in environments that don't support emoji.
There is no separate blue side eye emoji. The standard ๐ has no colour variants; if you need a blue graphic, use a custom sticker or image instead.
Chat examples
Real messages with ๐, and a reply that fits.
he said heโd be โfive minutesโ an hour ago ๐
classic
someone ate the leftovers I labelled ๐
wasnโt me ๐
you said you werenโt hungry ๐คจ
I changed my mind
Questions people ask
Is there a real side eye emoji?
No. There is no Unicode character named side eye. ๐, ๐, ๐ and ๐คจ are the emoji people use for the expression.
What does ๐ mean in a comment?
Usually โIโm watching thisโ, โinterestingโ or โI want the detailsโ. On social posts it often means the commenter is waiting to see how something plays out.
Is ๐ the same as ๐?
No. ๐ is unimpressed and looks sideways; ๐ rolls its eyes upward and is more exasperated. Both are side-eye adjacent, but ๐ is the stronger of the two.
What does the side-eye emoji mean?
Side-eye is used to communicate a sceptical, suspicious or judgemental sideways glance. The emoji that carry this meaning include ๐ for curiosity, ๐ for unimpressed judgement, ๐ for exasperation, and ๐คจ for raised-eyebrow scepticism.
Which emoji is closest to a side-eye?
The face with raised eyebrow ๐คจ is a close single-emoji match, as its crooked brow suggests doubt or suspicion. Pair it with ๐ to show someone watching from the corner of their eye, or use ๐ for a more unimpressed tone.
How do you use side-eye emoji in a message?
A short reply like โSure you did ๐คจโ or โIf you say so ๐โ can add a side-eye tone to a text. Use ๐ on its own to signal that you are watching with curiosity rather than judgement.
What is the sideeye emoji?
There is no single side-eye emoji. These emoji can convey a side-eye or similar reaction: ๐ (eyes) for suspicion, ๐ (unamused face) for being unimpressed, ๐ (face with rolling eyes) for exasperation, and ๐คจ (face with raised eyebrow) for scepticism.
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.
