How to use emoji in markdown with shortcodes or unicode. Syntax, platform support, and the full emoji shortcode list.
Emoji can be added to markdown using shortcodes (colons around the emoji name, like :smile:) or by pasting the unicode character directly (😄). Shortcode support depends on the platform — GitHub, GitLab, and Slack support shortcodes; most renderers support unicode directly.
Wrap the emoji name in colons. Works on GitHub, GitLab, Slack, and Discord.
Paste the emoji character directly. Works everywhere — no platform-specific syntax needed.
Popular shortcodes for documentation and READMEs.
| Platform | Supported | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| GitHub | Yes | Full shortcode support |
| GitLab | Yes | Full shortcode support |
| Discord | Yes | Shortcodes and custom server emoji |
| Slack | Yes | Shortcodes and custom workspace emoji |
| Notion | Yes | Unicode emoji paste works everywhere |
| Obsidian | Partial | Unicode works; shortcodes require plugin |
:smiley face:
:smiley:
Shortcodes use the exact emoji name with no spaces. Find exact names at emojipedia.org or the GitHub emoji cheat sheet.
Copy and paste emoji characters directly rather than using shortcodes — they render everywhere without platform-specific support.
One emoji per section heading adds personality. Overusing emoji makes content harder to scan and feels unprofessional.
Everything you need to know.
:+1: or :thumbsup: renders 👍 on platforms that support shortcodes. You can also paste the 👍 character directly.
Bold text in markdown is created by wrapping words with double asterisks (**) or double underscores (__). Bold draws attention to important words and phrases, making your content easier to scan.
Inline code is formatted by wrapping text in single backticks (`). It renders in a monospace font with a subtle background, making it ideal for variable names, commands, file paths, and short code snippets within a sentence.
Text highlighting in markdown is created by wrapping text with double equals signs (==). It renders with a yellow background similar to a highlighter pen. This is an extended markdown feature, not part of CommonMark, so platform support varies.
Paste your markdown and see emoji rendered instantly with professional themes.