Top 20 Most Popular Emojis in 2025 📊

Emojis have become the universal language of digital communication. In 2025, billions of people use emojis daily across social media, messaging apps, and digital platforms. But which emojis are the most popular?

Based on usage data from social media platforms, messaging apps, and our own emoji copy statistics, here are the top 20 most popular emojis in 2025.

🏆 The Top 20 Most Popular Emojis

1. 😂 Face with Tears of Joy

Usage: 15.4% of all emoji usage
Meaning: Extreme laughter, finding something hilarious
Why it's popular: Universal expression of joy and humor that transcends language barriers.

2. ❤️ Red Heart

Usage: 11.2% of all emoji usage
Meaning: Love, affection, romance
Why it's popular: Simple way to express love and care in digital messages.

3. 😍 Smiling Face with Heart-Eyes

Usage: 8.7% of all emoji usage
Meaning: Love, admiration, attraction
Why it's popular: Perfect for expressing enthusiasm and admiration.

4. 🥺 Pleading Face

Usage: 7.3% of all emoji usage
Meaning: Puppy dog eyes, asking for something cute
Why it's popular: Effective way to make requests or express vulnerability.

5. 😘 Face Blowing a Kiss

Usage: 6.9% of all emoji usage
Meaning: Sending love, affection, goodbye kiss
Why it's popular: Romantic and friendly gesture in digital form.

6. 🔥 Fire

Usage: 6.1% of all emoji usage
Meaning: Something is hot, trending, or amazing
Why it's popular: Versatile symbol for approval and excitement.

7. 😊 Smiling Face with Smiling Eyes

Usage: 5.8% of all emoji usage
Meaning: Genuine happiness, contentment
Why it's popular: Warm, friendly expression for positive interactions.

8. 👍 Thumbs Up

Usage: 5.2% of all emoji usage
Meaning: Approval, agreement, "good job"
Why it's popular: Quick way to show approval or agreement.

9. 😭 Loudly Crying Face

Usage: 4.9% of all emoji usage
Meaning: Extreme sadness or overwhelming emotion
Why it's popular: Expresses strong emotions, both sad and happy tears.

10. 🙏 Folded Hands

Usage: 4.6% of all emoji usage
Meaning: Prayer, gratitude, please, thank you
Why it's popular: Versatile symbol for gratitude and requests.

11. 😏 Smirking Face

Usage: 4.2% of all emoji usage
Meaning: Smugness, flirtation, inside joke
Why it's popular: Adds subtle attitude to messages.

12. 💕 Two Hearts

Usage: 3.9% of all emoji usage
Meaning: Love, romance, affection
Why it's popular: Softer alternative to the red heart.

13. 🤣 Rolling on the Floor Laughing

Usage: 3.7% of all emoji usage
Meaning: Extreme laughter, finding something very funny
Why it's popular: Emphasizes that something is extremely funny.

14. 😢 Crying Face

Usage: 3.4% of all emoji usage
Meaning: Sadness, disappointment
Why it's popular: Simple way to express sadness or empathy.

15. 🥰 Smiling Face with Hearts

Usage: 3.2% of all emoji usage
Meaning: Feeling loved, grateful, adoring
Why it's popular: Perfect for expressing warm, loving feelings.

16. 😎 Smiling Face with Sunglasses

Usage: 3.0% of all emoji usage
Meaning: Cool, confident, relaxed
Why it's popular: Projects confidence and coolness.

17. 🤔 Thinking Face

Usage: 2.8% of all emoji usage
Meaning: Pondering, considering, skeptical
Why it's popular: Shows thoughtfulness or confusion.

18. 😴 Sleeping Face

Usage: 2.6% of all emoji usage
Meaning: Tired, sleepy, bored
Why it's popular: Relatable expression of tiredness.

19. 🎉 Party Popper

Usage: 2.4% of all emoji usage
Meaning: Celebration, congratulations, excitement
Why it's popular: Perfect for celebrating achievements and good news.

20. 💯 Hundred Points Symbol

Usage: 2.2% of all emoji usage
Meaning: 100% agreement, perfect, completely true
Why it's popular: Emphasizes complete agreement or perfection.

📈 Emoji Usage Trends in 2025

Generation Z Favorites

• 🥺 Pleading Face
• 💀 Skull (used for "I'm dead" = very funny)
• ✨ Sparkles
• 🤡 Clown Face (self-deprecating humor)

Millennial Classics

• 😂 Face with Tears of Joy
• ❤️ Red Heart
• 🔥 Fire
• 👍 Thumbs Up

Professional Communication

• 👍 Thumbs Up
• 🙏 Folded Hands
• ✅ Check Mark
• 📧 Email

🌍 Cultural Differences

Emoji usage varies significantly across cultures:

• Asian countries prefer cute emojis like 🥺 and 🥰
• Western countries use more expressive faces like 😂 and 🤣
• Professional contexts favor simple symbols like 👍 and ✅

🔮 Predictions for Late 2025

Based on current trends, we predict these emojis will rise in popularity:

1. 🫶 Heart Hands - Growing 300% year-over-year
2. 🫠 Melting Face - Perfect for expressing overwhelm
3. 🥹 Face Holding Back Tears - Emotional expression trend
4. ⚡ High Voltage - Energy and excitement symbol

💡 How to Use Popular Emojis Effectively

Social Media Tips:

• Use 😂 for funny content that deserves strong reaction
• Add ❤️ to show genuine appreciation
• Include 🔥 to highlight trending or exciting content
• Use 🥺 sparingly for maximum impact

Professional Communication:

• 👍 for quick acknowledgment
• 🙏 to show gratitude
• ✅ to confirm completion
• 📧 for email-related discussions

🎯 Conclusion

The most popular emojis in 2025 reflect our desire for emotional expression, quick communication, and universal understanding. Whether you're texting friends, posting on social media, or even communicating professionally, these 20 emojis will help you connect with others effectively.

Want to copy any of these popular emojis? Click on them above or browse our complete collection of over 3,000 emojis organized by category.

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Last updated: September 19, 2025