How to type emoji on Windows

Windows has a built-in emoji picker that works in almost any text field. The shortcut is easy to forget but worth memorizing: Windows key + . (period).

The shortcut

Place your cursor in any text field and press Win + . (period) or Win + ; (semicolon). The emoji panel opens. Start typing a name — “fire,” “heart,” “rocket” — to filter, then click or press Enter to insert.

More than emoji

The same panel has tabs for kaomoji (¯\_(ツ)_/¯), symbols (arrows, currency, math) and your recently used items — handy for special characters beyond emoji.

If it doesn't open

The panel needs a text field in focus and a reasonably recent version of Windows 10 or 11. If nothing happens, click into an editable field first and try again.

Frequently asked questions