Sky emojis ๐ค๏ธ
The sun behind small cloud emoji ๐ค๏ธ is a common sky emoji for mild, partly cloudy weather. This page explains its meaning, compares it with other sky emojis, and shows how to copy it.
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What sky emojis mean
Sky emojis are a group of symbols in the travel and places category that depict the sun, clouds, moon and other celestial objects. They are used to talk about the weather, time of day, or simply to add a visual element to a message. The most common ones include the sun, cloud, sun behind cloud and various moon phases.
The sun behind small cloud emoji is a middle ground between a completely clear sky and a cloudy one. It is often chosen for forecasts that mention partly cloudy conditions or for describing a day that is pleasant but not scorching. For a full overview of all weather-related emojis, see our weather emoji page.
- โ๏ธ Sun โ clear, sunny weather
- โ๏ธ Cloud โ overcast or general cloudiness
- ๐ค๏ธ Sun behind small cloud โ partly cloudy, mild
- ๐ Crescent moon โ night-time, sleep, or a gentle mood
Meaning and usage of ๐ค๏ธ
The sun behind small cloud emoji shows a yellow sun partially covered by a small white cloud. Its Unicode name is โsun behind small cloudโ, which describes the image exactly. It is commonly used in weather reports, but also appears in casual messages to describe a nice, calm day.
For example, someone might post a photo of a walk in the park with the caption โPerfect weather for a stroll ๐ค๏ธโ. The emoji adds a sense of mild, comfortable outdoor conditions without the intensity of a full sun.
On some platforms, the design may show a slightly larger or smaller cloud, but the meaning stays the same. If you want to emphasise more cloud cover, the sun behind cloud emoji โ is a better choice.
Compare sun behind small cloud with similar emoji
| Emoji | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| sun behind small cloudU+1F324 U+FE0F | Mild, partly cloudy weather; the sun is still visible | |
| new moonU+1F311 | No visible moon; used for dark nights or new beginnings | |
| full moonU+1F315 | Bright, fully illuminated moon; often used for night events | |
| crescent moonU+1F319 | A slim moon shape; associated with night, sleep or goodnight messages | |
| first quarter moon faceU+1F31B | A half moon with a face; adds a friendly, whimsical touch |
Sky emoji variations
The sky and weather subgroup includes more than a dozen emojis, from the sun to the moon and even the stars. The sun behind small cloud is one of several sun-and-cloud combinations; the sun behind cloud emoji โ and the sun behind large cloud emoji ๐ฅ๏ธ both show more cloud cover. The small cloud version is best when the sun is still dominant.
The moon phases are also part of this group, although they are used for different purposes. While sun emojis indicate daytime and weather, moon emojis are more about night, sleep, or even phases of emotion. The moon emoji page covers all eight phases in detail.
Here are a few moon emojis you might see alongside the sun:
- ๐ New moon โ dark, unseen moon
- ๐ Full moon โ bright, complete circle
- ๐ Crescent moon โ commonly used for goodnight
- ๐ First quarter moon face โ moon with a face
How to copy and type sky emojis
To use the sun behind small cloud emoji, you can copy it from the top of this page or from the list above. On a phone, open the emoji keyboard and go to the travel and places section, then look for the weather icons. On a desktop, you can use the emoji picker or a keyboard shortcut.
On Mac, press Control + Command + Space. These shortcuts work in most apps and let you search for โsunโ or โcloudโ to find the right emoji quickly. For more tips, see our emoji keyboard shortcuts guide.
Questions people ask
What does the sun behind small cloud emoji mean?
It means partly cloudy or mild weather. The sun is still visible, so the day is mostly fine with some clouds.
How do I copy the sky emojis?
You can copy them directly from this page by selecting the emoji and pressing copy. On phones, use the emoji keyboardโs travel and places section.
What is the difference between ๐ค๏ธ and โ ?
๐ค๏ธ shows a small cloud, meaning the sun is dominant and the sky is mostly clear. โ shows a larger cloud, suggesting more cloud cover.
Are moon emojis considered sky emojis?
Yes, moon emojis are part of the sky and weather subgroup in the travel and places category, so they are often grouped with sky emojis.
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.
