Kaomoji FAQ
What is a kaomoji?
A kaomoji is a Japanese-style face made from text characters, like (^_^) or ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ. The name combines the Japanese words kao (face) and moji (character), and unlike Western smileys such as :-), they are read upright, not sideways.
What is the difference between kaomoji and emoji?
Emoji are single pictures that your device draws in its own style, while kaomoji are built from ordinary letters and symbols. Because kaomoji are just text, they can carry more expression and work anywhere you can type, including usernames and bios that don't allow emoji.
How do I copy and paste a kaomoji on my phone or computer?
Tap or click any kaomoji on this page to copy it, then paste it wherever you like: long-press and choose Paste on a phone, or press Ctrl+V (Cmd+V on a Mac) on a computer. Most phone keyboards also let you save favorites as text replacements, so typing a shortcut like "shrug" inserts the full face.
Why do some kaomoji show up as boxes?
Boxes (sometimes called "tofu") appear when your device has no font that includes one of the characters. Updating your operating system or browser usually fixes it, and the person you send it to may see boxes even when you don't.