Emoji Shortcut Mac: Control + Command + Space

The emoji shortcut mac computers use is Control + Command + Space. It opens the Character Viewer at the cursor in almost any app: Messages, Mail, Notes, a browser or Word. Start typing to search, then press Return to insert the emoji.

Newer Mac keyboards have a globe or Fn key in the bottom left corner. Pressing Fn + E, or the globe key alone if it is set to Show Emoji and Symbols, opens the same panel.

Quick facts

Open emoji
Control + Command + Space
Newer keyboards
Fn + E
Search
Start typing
Insert
Return
Close
Esc
Windows
Win + .

How to use the emoji shortcut mac offers

Click where you are typing.
Press Control + Command + Space. A small emoji window appears.
Type a word such as smile, heart or flag.
Use the arrow keys to pick one and press Return, or click it.

The window remembers your recent emoji at the top, so favourites are always one click away. Searching works with simple English words, so try cake, party or rain rather than official emoji names. Flags can be found by typing the country name.

Emoji keyboard shortcut mac options

Ways to open emoji on a Mac
Method	How
Keyboard shortcut	`Control` + `Command` + `Space`
Globe or Fn key	Press it, or `Fn` + `E`, depending on settings
Edit menu	Edit, then Emoji and Symbols, in most apps
Menu bar	Show the input menu, then Show Emoji and Symbols

Set what the globe key does in System Settings, then Keyboard, under Press globe key to.

Find symbols, not just emoji

Click the small expand button at the top right of the emoji window to open the full Character Viewer. It lists arrows, currency signs such as the rupee, maths symbols, bullets and characters from other languages. Add any you use often to Favourites. For degree and other common signs there are also direct keys; see the degree symbol shortcut and symbol shortcut keys pages.

Text replacements in Keyboard settings can turn short codes such as 🙂 into emoji automatically as you type.

When the emoji shortcut does not work

Problems and fixes
Problem	Fix
Nothing happens	Click inside a text field first
Shortcut changed	Check Keyboard Shortcuts, Input Sources in System Settings
Emoji show as boxes	The app or font does not support colour emoji
Globe key changes language	Set Press globe key to Show Emoji and Symbols

A small business owner replies to customer messages on her MacBook. Instead of copying emoji from her phone, she presses Control + Command + Space, types thanks, and adds a folded hands emoji in a second.

Emoji in different Mac apps

The shortcut works in Messages, Mail, Notes, Pages, browsers and most other apps that accept typed text. A few apps built for other systems ignore it; in those, open the Edit menu and look for Emoji and Symbols, or type the emoji in Notes and copy it across with Command + C and Command + V. In Terminal and code editors, emoji may display oddly, so keep them for messages and documents. Skin tones are chosen by clicking and holding a hand or person emoji in the viewer, and the choice is remembered for next time.

Emoji on Windows

Windows uses Win + . for the same job; see the Windows emoji shortcut. Other Mac keys are listed under Mac shortcut keys, including copy and paste on Mac.

This site is not affiliated with Apple or Microsoft; this is an independent explanation.

Frequently asked questions

What is the emoji shortcut on Mac?

Control + Command + Space.

How do I open emoji with the globe key?

Set Press globe key to Show Emoji and Symbols in Keyboard settings, then press it.

Can I search for emoji on Mac?

Yes. Start typing as soon as the window opens.

Why is the Mac emoji shortcut not working?

Click into a text box first, or check that the shortcut was not changed.

How do I find symbols like arrows on Mac?

Expand the emoji window to the full Character Viewer.

What is the emoji shortcut on Windows?

Win + ..