The two hearts emoji 💕 shows two pink hearts, one bigger than the other. Dictionary.com says it's widely used to express love, affection, pleasure or happiness, and because the hearts look like they're floating, it can mean 'love is in the air'. It's not only romantic: people send it to family and friends too. On Snapchat, it has a special meaning.
It's one of the softest ways to say 'love you' in a text. It feels lighter than a single red heart and warmer than a thumbs up. Here's how it's used, how it differs from the other pink hearts, and what it's doing next to your best friend's name on Snapchat.
What 💕 shows
Emojipedia describes two pink love hearts, one larger than the other. Dictionary.com says the larger heart sits at the bottom or in front, with a smaller one up and to the right or behind it, and that the hearts are red or pink depending on the platform. It's also known as small hearts or two pink hearts.
Emojipedia says it was approved as part of Unicode 6.0 in 2010 and added to Emoji 1.0 in 2015. Unicode's emoji-test file lists it as U+1F495 in the heart group, right after the revolving hearts 💞, which is the one it gets mixed up with most.
Love, but lighter
Dictionary.com says 💕 is used frequently in texts about love and, while it's a symbol of romantic love, it can also show affection for family and friends. Its example, 'I 💕 to the moon and back', could just as easily be for a child as a partner.
- 'Happy birthday to my amazing sister! 💕' is warm family love.
- 'Can't wait to see you tonight 💕' is soft romance.
- 'Thanks for listening yesterday 💕' is friendship and gratitude.
- 'Love this for you 💕' is happy support.
Love is in the air
Emojipedia says it can be used to show that love is in the air, and that it tends to spike in popularity on Valentine's Day. Dictionary.com adds that because the hearts look like they're floating, it can represent a general romantic mood or atmosphere. If you're writing Valentine's cards or posts, my Valentine's Day writing prompts pair nicely with it.
The two hearts on Snapchat
This is the meaning people search for most. Emojipedia says that on Snapchat, 💕 next to a contact means you've been each other's number one best friend for two consecutive months. Dictionary.com says the same: it appears next to a contact who's been your number one best friend for two months in a row.
Emojipedia also notes that a bug in October 2019 showed a yellow heart instead of 💕 for some Snapchat users, which caused a fair bit of confusion at the time. If you want to know what the other friend emojis mean, the yellow heart is the one that comes before it, and the best friends list explains how Snapchat ranks people.
| Where you see 💕 | What it means |
|---|---|
| In a text to a partner | Love and affection, gently |
| In a text to family or friends | Warmth and care |
| On Valentine's Day posts | Love is in the air |
| Next to a name on Snapchat | Number one best friends for two months in a row |
| After something boring | Sarcasm, as in 'who doesn't love spring cleaning' |
Emojipedia's note about Valentine's Day makes sense when you think about how the emoji looks. Two hearts, side by side, one leaning into the other, is about as clear a picture of a couple as you can get in a single character. That's why it shows up on anniversary posts and wedding captions as often as it does in texts to mum.
The sarcastic two hearts
It isn't always sincere. Dictionary.com says it can be used in a silly or sarcastic way about something that doesn't usually inspire love. Its example is 'Who doesn't love spring cleaning? 💕' with a laughing face on the end. So if someone adds 💕 to a message about tax returns or a delayed train, they're probably joking.
Two hearts vs other pink hearts
There are several pink heart emojis, and they're easy to confuse. Dictionary.com says 💕 is one of the most widely used of the dozens of heart emojis, and is often paired with the red heart or the beating heart for emphasis.
- 💕 Two hearts: two floating hearts, soft love and affection.
- 💞 Revolving hearts: hearts circling each other, often for a couple.
- 💖 Sparkling heart: excitement and adoration.
- 💗 Growing heart: love that's getting stronger.
If you only remember one thing, it's this: 💕 is the gentle one. It says 'I care about you' without making a big declaration.
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How to reply to 💕
The easiest reply is to send it back, or to choose another warm heart. If someone you're dating sends 💕, matching it says you feel the same without making a big speech. If a friend sends it after you've helped them, a 💕 or a hug emoji keeps the warmth going. And if it appears next to their name on Snapchat, there's nothing to reply to at all: it just means you've both kept the friendship going.
If 💕 feels a bit too soft for the moment, a simple smile works. Nobody will mind a lighter response.
Should you use 💕 at work?
Between close colleagues, a 💕 to say thanks is usually fine, especially in teams that already use heart emojis. With clients or managers you don't know well, a plain thank you or a thumbs up is safer. For brands, it's a lovely emoji for community posts, customer thank-yous and anything warm, and it carries no innuendo.
Frequently asked questions
What does 💕 mean from a guy?
Usually affection or a crush, said softly. It's lighter than a single red heart.
What does 💕 mean from a girl to a girl?
Usually friendship and affection. Dictionary.com says it's used for family and friends as well as partners.
What does 💕 mean on Snapchat?
Emojipedia says it means you've been each other's number one best friend for two consecutive months.
When was the two hearts emoji added?
Emojipedia says it was approved in Unicode 6.0 in 2010 and added to Emoji 1.0 in 2015.
Can 💕 be sarcastic?
Yes. Dictionary.com gives the example 'Who doesn't love spring cleaning? 💕'.
What's the difference between 💕 and 💞?
💕 is two floating hearts; 💞 is revolving hearts that circle each other.
