Custom emoji maker
Custom emoji maker: sizes, formats and limits
A custom emoji is a small square PNG or GIF with a transparent background. Here is what Discord and Slack actually accept, how to turn a photo into one, and where this site's sticker exporter stops.
Start from a photo, then finish in your editor
This site does not export emoji-sized files yet. It makes 512×512 transparent WebP stickers, which is a different spec from the 128×128 PNG or GIF that Discord and Slack expect. What you can do here is the part that is hard to get right elsewhere: cut the subject out of a photo cleanly, with soft edges and a transparent background.
Download that cut-out, scale it to 128×128 and save it as PNG or GIF in any image editor, then upload it to your server or workspace. The two minutes of resizing are the whole difference between a sticker and a custom emoji.
Cut a photo out for an emoji →How it works
- 01
Cut out one subject
Use the photo tool here to remove the background on your device and get a clean transparent cut-out.
- 02
Resize to 128×128
In any image editor, scale the cut-out down and save it as PNG or GIF under the platform limit.
- 03
Upload and name it
Discord: Server Settings → Emoji. Slack: Add Emoji in the message composer. Give it a short name.
Custom emoji sizes and formats
Both platforms shrink what you upload, so a clear single subject at 128×128 reads far better than a detailed scene. These are the current upload limits:
| Platform | Recommended size | Formats | File limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discord | 128 × 128 px | JPEG, PNG, GIF | 256 KB |
| Slack | 128 × 128 px | PNG, GIF, JPG | 128 KB |
- • Discord displays custom emoji at 32×32 in chat, despite accepting 128×128 uploads.
- • Discord names must be at least two characters: letters, numbers and underscores only.
- • A default Discord server has 50 static emoji slots; Slack sets emoji per workspace.
- • Animated emoji need GIF (and Nitro on Discord); a static PNG is the safe default.
- • Keep the background transparent so the emoji works on light and dark themes.
Platform limits change. Check your server or workspace upload dialog for the current numbers.
Custom emoji vs sticker
An emoji is a tiny inline glyph, usually 128×128 on upload and 32×32 on screen, saved as PNG or GIF and pasted inside a line of text. A sticker is a 512×512 image sent as its own message, typically a transparent WebP for WhatsApp. Same idea — a cut-out picture of one thing — but different sizes, formats and import flows.
That is why this site keeps the two apart: the tools here produce sticker-spec files. If your target is a Discord or Slack emoji, treat the cut-out as the starting point and resize it before uploading. If your target is WhatsApp, use the file as-is — see the WhatsApp sticker maker for the import steps.
Frequently asked questions
Can I export a 128×128 emoji directly from this site?
No, not yet. Every export here is a 512×512 transparent WebP built for WhatsApp stickers. You can make the transparent cut-out here for free, then resize and convert it to PNG or GIF in any image editor. We would rather say that than pretend the button exists.
What size should a Discord custom emoji be?
Upload at 128×128 pixels. Discord displays it at 32×32 in chat and as a reaction, so a single bold subject with strong contrast works better than a detailed scene. Files must stay under 256 KB and can be JPEG, PNG or GIF.
What size should a Slack custom emoji be?
A square 128×128 PNG or GIF, under 128 KB. Slack shrinks larger images anyway, so starting at 128 pixels keeps the edges crisp. Keep the background transparent for both light and dark themes.
Is a custom emoji the same as a WhatsApp sticker?
No. An emoji sits inline in a line of text at roughly 32 pixels, while a sticker is a 512×512 image sent as its own message. They need different file sizes, formats and import flows, which is why the sticker tools here do not double as an emoji exporter.
Can I use a generated sticker as an emoji source?
Yes. Describe the character with the AI sticker generator, download the transparent WebP, then resize it to 128×128 and save as PNG in an image editor. One clear subject with a simple silhouette survives the downscale best.
This page documents custom emoji requirements for Discord and Slack; it does not claim to export emoji-sized files. Stickers exported here are 512×512 WebP.