Secret TikTok Emoji Codes: What They Are, How to Access Them

A discussion of social media is no longer complete without a substantial mention of TikTok. Emerging on the scene only a few short years ago, TikTok has exploded, and become a powerhouse of a social media app used by companies, brands, and individuals alike, with countless sources of entertainment and engagement. Although the latest TikTok statistics show the app is used by countless people, brands, and companies, many people are not familiar with all of the creative content it is possible to create on the app, because many content creators are not familiar with the different emojis that can be inserted into the short-form videos that have been made so popular by the app. From challenge videos to snippets reviewing products, audience engagement rates can increase by adding TikTok emojis into your day-to-day content creation.

How exactly do you access TikTok emoji codes? Here is how the codes work, followed by all 46 of them and the exact word to type for each.

Key Takeaways

✅ TikTok’s secret emojis are text shortcodes, not keyboard characters. You type a word inside square brackets and the app swaps it for its own artwork the moment the comment or caption posts.

✅ The codes only render inside TikTok. Paste [joyful] anywhere else and your audience sees the brackets, not the emoji.

✅ There are two visual families: the dumpling-shaped faces that exist nowhere but TikTok, and the round faces that mirror a standard keyboard set.

✅ Captions and comments both accept the codes, which makes them easy to work into a daily reply routine rather than saving them for the video itself.

✅ Spelling is the usual failure point. If a code posts as plain bracketed text, the word inside the brackets is wrong or the app needs an update.

What Is the Secret TikTok Emoji Code?

The secret TikTok emoji code is a collection of hidden emojis unlocked through special shortcodes. They give you a series of images that are not readily available to anyone who does not know the codes. Many resemble the standard emojis and emoticons on phone and computer keyboards, but many are TikTok native emojis that those same keyboards do not offer.

How to Access the Secret Emoji Codes?

Secret emoji codes can be accessed by inserting the code words used to activate them into square brackets. As an example, to conjure a smiling face, you can insert [happy], and watch as familiar emojis appear. Once your code of choice has been typed out in that format and you hit “enter,” the code will automatically populate the native system emoji and generate those beloved expressive faces and gestures on your TikTok account.

Three-step process showing how to use a TikTok emoji code, from typing a bracketed code to the emoji appearing. — The whole mechanic in three steps: type a code word in brackets, post the comment, and TikTok swaps it for the native emoji.

How Many Secret TikTok Emojis Are There?

Although emojis do vary across different operating systems, most have a substantial number in order to provide a useful or helpful number of expressions. The same is true of TikTok, as the app provides the regular emojis expected of technology, as well as others bearing their own visual style unique to TikTok. There are 46 total emojis available on the app using the secret codes, all of which can be seen and used below (image source for individual emoji images).

Comparison of TikTok's two emoji families: 23 dumpling-shaped codes and 23 round-face codes, 46 total. — TikTok’s 46 secret codes split into two visual styles: 23 dumpling-shaped faces unique to the app, and 23 round-face emojis. [Source]

Dumpling-Shaped TikTok Secret Emojis

First up: dumpling-shaped TikTok secret emojis. These are the emojis that are most thoroughly unique to this particular social media app, as most emoji keyboards do not offer dumpling faces as part of their options. These faces are close to the same faces offered by the more rounded images found in TikTok’s standard emoji offerings, but with the benefit of more differentiated color and the cute factor provided by the presence of dumplings and the creative ways people use them. The 23 dumpling emojis available from TikTok, beginning with the ones most similar to old-school emojis, include:

1. [joyful]

The joyful emoji is the dumpling answer to the standard happy emoji.

2. [hehe]

The hehe emoji is a laughing, side-eye counterpart to the standard laugh with tears emoji.

3. [tears]

The tears emoji is most similar to the standard crying counterpart.

4. [stun]

The stun emoji is the dumpling version of the emoji with a drop of sweat against the forehead.

5. [rage]

Rage is perhaps most closely related to the red-faced, angry emoji found across virtually every emoji keyboard.

6. [cool]

The cool dumpling matches the emoji with sunglasses so many people have come to know and love (and use).

7. [excited]

An excited dumpling, while technically among the exclusive emojis offered on TikTok, is similar to the excited face found on most apps.

8. [smileface]

A simple, soft smile, this dumpling is a perennial favorite emoji to convey basic contentment.

9. [angel]

The dumpling angel emoji is used much in the same way as standard angel emojis: to suggest innocence.

10. [laugh]

A straight-across counterpart to the laughing emojis, this dumpling features crying eyes.

11. [loveface]

Another nearly identical counterpart, this dumpling is a simple heart-eyes emoji.

12. [shock]

The final emoji in our straight-across bunch, the shocked dumpling features an open mouth and a blue face.

13. [wow]

The wow dumpling is used to convey shock or surprise.

14. [slap]

One of the most unique, the face-slap emoji shows a red handprint on the face of the dumpling.

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15. [cute]

This dumpling face features large eyes and a smile to convey innocence and youth.

16. [blink]

The blink friend emoji is used to be both friendly and a little bit flirty, with a heart to complete the look.

17. [disdain]

As the name suggests, this emoji indicates disdain or feeling displeased.

18. [astonish]

The dumpling here is not only astonished; it is upset.

19. [proud]

The proud dumpling is unique among the TikTok specific emojis.

20. [evil]

The evil dumpling features a purple face, fangs, and hollow cheeks.

21. [pride]

The proud dumpling features pursed lips and lowered brows.

22. [nap]

The napping dumpling is so tired, it shows closed eyes and a dripping nose.

23. [awkward]

The awkward dumpling shows an anxious expression with a drop of sweat.

Round Face TikTok Emoji Codes

The remaining TikTok emojis possess the basic round face shape of most emoji keyboards, but do have some differences that set them apart from others. These faces have been identified below:

24. [smile]

The most basic of emojis, TikTok’s smile emoji features a close-mouthed grin.

25. [cry]

The cry emoji’s tears flow like a river.

26. [angry]

The standard angry face, colored red.

27. [happy]

The happy emoji is perhaps more emphatic than other happy faces, with a wide grin and closed eyes.

28. [embarrassed]

Similar to the worried face, the embarrassed face features a drop of sweat and furrowed brows.

29. [surprised]

Another standard, the embarrassed face is pink and bashful.

30. [shout]

Similar to the evil emoji, the shout emoji is purple and fanged.

31. [wronged]

Although its name is wronged, this emoji seems more nervous and uncertain.

32. [flushed]

Pink cheeks and a small smile complete this emoji.

33. [yummy]

The yummy emoji gives a thumbs up and appreciation.

34. [complacent]

Another sunglass-wearing emoji, the complacent face is all ease.

35. [drool]

Also a heart-eyed emoji, this face includes a small bit of drool.

36. [scream]

Show your shock or surprise with a blue face and a wide mouth.

37. [weep]

TikTok’s crying face is all sorrow and a small tear.

38. [speechless]

This emoji features shifty eyes and is another face with a drop of sweat.

39. [funnyface]

The funnyface emoji features a stuck out tongue and a wink.

40. [laughwithtears]

In case you need to laugh, but aren’t feeling quite goofy enough to use [funnyface].

41. [wicked]

Wicked is purple, with horns and fangs.

42. [facewithrollingeyes]

Used to convey irritation or disgust.

43. [sulk]

Aptly named, the sulk emoji is red, with a twisted brow and unhappy pout.

44. [thinking]

This is a pensive face, stroking a metaphorical beard in thought.

45. [lovely]

A kissing face with blushing cheeks and tightly-closed eyes.

46. [greedy]

With dollar signs for eyes, this TikTok emoji demonstrates a hankering for dough.

Why Use Secret Emoji Codes?

It may not seem valuable at first to use emojis across your social media channels. But emojis and emoji shortcodes are now common across social media platforms and technology in general. Most people expect to express themselves with them, both on their own platforms and on everyone else’s.

Why take the time and effort to use emojis on your mobile phone and TikTok account? For one, a single emoji can show mischievous laughter or the level of your stress, and adding that visual appeal straight from your typing bar is valuable.

Emojis are also useful as a means of expression in comments and reactions. Although responding to comments and posting reactions of your own is important, doing so in a way that feels relatable and connection-heavy can help build better relationships between brands or companies and their followers, which is one of the quieter ways to grow your TikTok account without simply posting more often.

Using codes for emojis can also be useful to help convey your reactions in a more interesting and visually compelling way. Pairing an emoji with the right TikTok hashtags can help connect like minded people, and emoji shortcode lists can help maintain a more visually interesting social media platform, and can make your brand or company seem more personable. From classic emojis to the more TikTok specific emojis, jumping on the emoji train can be an excellent way to aid in communication on your TikTok.

Finally, using the TikTok exclusive emojis can help you appear more fluent in the app. Although generic emojis are certainly useful, the hidden emoji list gives your followers a sense of comfort in your ability to find your way around TikTok and makes you look like a more savvy user. That fluency is worth more than it sounds, and it is the same reason emojis earn their place in a content strategy well beyond TikTok.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you use TikTok emoji codes?

Type the code word inside square brackets, such as [joyful] or [happy], anywhere the app lets you type. When you post the comment or caption, TikTok replaces the bracketed text with its own emoji artwork. Nothing has to be downloaded or switched on first.

How many secret TikTok emoji codes are there?

There are 46, split across the dumpling-shaped faces that only exist on TikTok and the round faces that resemble a standard keyboard set. Every one of them is listed above with the exact code word you need to type.

Why do my TikTok emoji codes show up as plain text?

The most common cause is a misspelled code word, because the app only swaps exact matches. Check that both brackets are present, that they are square brackets rather than curly ones or parentheses, and that there are no spaces inside them. The other common cause is where you are typing. The codes work in the Android and iPhone apps but not in a web browser on the TikTok website, so a code entered on tiktok.com will stay as plain text no matter how it is spelled. If the spelling and the brackets are right and you are in the app, update to a current version.

Are TikTok emoji codes worth using on a brand account?

Yes, mostly in comment replies. Comments and replies are engagement signals, and how the TikTok algorithm works rewards accounts whose posts hold attention and pull responses. An emoji-led reply also reads as native to the app rather than as a copy-pasted brand voice.

How Will You Use These TikTok Emoji Codes?

TikTok can come with a steep learning curve. Taking advantage of the secret hacks and codes built into the app is one of the best ways to use it well, whether for TikTok marketing or your own account.

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