All the Emojis That Mean Texting & Chatting

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Slang expert Tobi Nwodo shares the most common emoji used to represent chatting or texting

Co-authored by Tobi Nwodo and Dan Hickey

Last Updated: March 18, 2026 Fact Checked

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Chatting & Texting Emojis

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Emoticons

Whether it’s online or in person, we spend a lot of our time chatting—and there are plenty of emojis that show it! In this article, we partnered with a slang expert to help us compile a list of the most common emojis for texting and chatting, whether you’re using social media or talking IRL. We’ve also got a list of super fun emoticons that look like they’re speaking for you to copy and paste.

Which emojis mean chatting?

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Slang expert Tobi Nwodo says the most common emoji that indicates chatting is the speech balloon 💬. Other common emojis include the speaking head 🗣️, left speech bubble 🗨️, thought bubble 💭, anger bubble 🗯️, and cell phone 📱. Use these to show that you’re talking to someone or to quote what someone has said.

Section 1 of 3:

Most Common Chatting & Texting Emojis

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Speech balloon 💬 According to Nwodo, the speech balloon 💬 emoji means chatting or texting.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Tobi Nwodo
Slang Expert

Expert Interview} The cartoon-style speech bubble represents spoken words in comics, but is often used as a symbol for talking (or typing) in general.^{[2]
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Research source} It resembles the “dot dot dot” symbol that appears on lots of cell phones when another person is drafting a text or message, so it’s perfect for talking about texting, messaging, or chatting online and in-person.
- “Kevin and his new gf have been chatting up a storm! 💬”
- “Why does he take so long to reply!? 💬🙄”
Meet the wikiHow Expert

Tobi Nwodo (Hyperstrides) is a meme, brainrot, and slang expert. He breaks down the newest memes and slang to his audience of over 600k followers across YouTube and TikTok.
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Left speech bubble 🗨️ This speech bubble emoji is oriented leftward (the opposite of the speech balloon emoji) and may appear as a white bubble outlined in black, or as an all-black bubble (it’s not an official emoji, so its appearance isn’t standardized).^{[3]
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Research source} Regardless of how it looks, you can use it to show that you or someone else is speaking out loud or chatting online, or show that you’re quoting someone else.^{[4]
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Research source}
- Them: “I don’t want to go to Olive Garden!”
  You: “You literally said you don’t care where we go 🗨️👧🏻”
- “He said WHAT!? 🗨️😯❓”
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Speaking head 🗣️ The speaking head emoji shows a silhouette of a head with lines coming out of its mouth, indicating someone is chatting or speaking out loud. Use this emoji whenever you want to show that you’re expressing your thoughts out loud or want to make sure someone hears you (IRL or figuratively online). The emoji is often paired with fire 🔥 and an all-caps message to show someone is “shouting” what they typed.^{[5]
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Research source}
- “Keep it down! I can hear you gabbing from upstairs 🗣️”
- “Hot take but CHICAGO STYLE PIZZA IS THE BEST PIZZA 🗣️🔥”
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Anger bubble 🗯️ The anger bubble 🗯️ emoji is a speech balloon with pointy edges, showing that whoever is talking has some frustration to let out! Use this emoji in chats and messages about arguments, shouting, or intense feelings.^{[6]
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- “Sierra is MAD mad. She was yelling on the phone for hours 😡🗯️”
- “I overheard Ben and Sarah arguing yesterday 👂🗯️ Seems like there’s drama…”
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Thought bubble 💭 The thought bubble 💭 emoji technically represents ideas and thoughts (which are silent).^{[7]
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Research source} But since it looks so much like the speech bubble 💬, it gets used a lot to show someone’s chatting or talking. Use it in your texts and messages to show that you’re voicing your thoughts or thinking out loud.
- “Just thinking out loud here 🗣️💭 but what if we skip Stacy’s party?”
- “I think it’s admirable how you speak your mind 💭 but maybe you shouldn’t 🙃”
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Mobile phone 📱 or phone with arrow 📲 It’s hard to picture online chatting without a cell phone! Use the mobile phone 📱 emoji to represent texting or messaging in general, or the phone with arrow 📲 emoji to show you’re getting an incoming call or text.^{[8]
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Research source}
- “Haven’t you texted enough today? 📱🙄”
- “My phone’s been ringing nonstop! 📲❗ Apparently, everyone needs me today.”

Section 2 of 3:

More Chatting Emojis

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Email 📧 Email might be a bit slow and cumbersome for true chatting, but it’s a way to communicate nonetheless! Use the email 📧 emoji whenever you’re referencing the messages going in and out of your inbox (personal or professional). It also works for digital messages in general.^{[9]
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- “If I see one more message in my inbox today, I’m going to scream! 📧😱”
- “So… many… messages… 📧💀”
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Laptop 💻 The Millennials reading this article will definitely remember the days of hogging the family computer to chat with your friends on AIM! While you don’t need a computer to chat these days, even younger folks can relate to messaging your coworkers and colleagues on platforms like Slack or Teams.
- “I can’t step away from my computer for more than 3 minutes without getting a notification! 💻🛎️”
- “Whoever thought inventing Teams was a good idea? 🤦💻”
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Megaphone 📣 or loudspeaker 📢 If you’ve got something to announce to a big group, the megaphone 📣 or loudspeaker 📢 emojis are perfect for showing you need everyone to listen up! Include it in social media posts with big news, or use it at the start of a group chat message to indicate everyone should read your text.
- “Major announcement! 📣📣📣 Look at my dog!”
- Listen up, everyone! 📢 We only have 2 days left until the cookout, so decide what you’re bringing!”
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Microphone 🎤 Whoever holds the mic 🎤 holds all the speaking power! Use this emoji whenever you have exciting news to share (especially if you need all the attention on you).^{[10]
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- “Hey, everyone! 🎤 I’ve got some news to share…”
- “Will someone mute this guy’s mic already!? ❌🎤”
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Telephone ☎️ or telephone receiver 📞 Of course, we can’t mention chatting without the old-school telephone emojis ☎️📞! You may not have one in your house, but these will forever be iconic symbols of gabbing with your friends for hours on end.
- “Can’t wait to catch up later! ☎️”
- “I gotta run, but let’s talk after. Call me! 📞”
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Eye in speech bubble 👁️‍🗨️ This obscure emoji represents speaking out against bullying, similar to the phrase, “If you see something, say something.” It was released in conjunction with the “I Am a Witness” campaign, which encouraged kids to take action when they witness classmates being bullied.^{[11]
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Research source} Although it doesn’t represent chatting exactly, the speech bubble shape still encourages positive communication, in person or online!
- “No one’s getting away with bullying on my watch! 👁️‍🗨️💙”
- “Don’t be afraid to speak out! 👁️‍🗨️”

Section 3 of 3:

Emoticons for Chatting

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Use these aesthetic emoticons to show you’re chatting up a storm. Need something with a bit more charm and whimsy than an emoji? Copy and paste these cute emoticons that look like they’re talking to show the real mood behind what you’re saying, whether you’re angry, joyful, yelling, or whispering:^{[12]
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- (╯°□°）╯
- ＼( °□° )／
- ヽ(°□°ヽ)
- ヘ( ^o^)ノ
- ヽ(°〇°)ﾉ
- (⁀ᗢ⁀)
- (￣▽￣)
- (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ
- ヾ(´〇`)ﾉ♪♪♪
- ┐(-｡ｰ;)┌
- (･o･)
- ＼(*´▽｀*)／
- Use emoticons easily with the Japanese Kana keyboard. Open your Settings app, tap on “General”, then “Keyboards.” Select “Add New Keyboard…”, scroll down, and select “Japanese.” Last, click on “Kana” to get access to classic emoticons.^{[13]
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