On a Mac, press Fn or the Globe key plus E; on Windows 11, press the Windows key plus the full stop (period) key; on a Chromebook, press Search plus Shift plus Space. Each shortcut opens a built-in emoji picker you can click from, and on Mac and Windows you can also search by name.
| Device | Shortcut | Other route |
|---|---|---|
| Mac | Fn or Globe + E | Edit menu, then Emoji & Symbols |
| Windows 11 | Windows key + full stop | Same panel also offers GIFs, kaomoji and symbols |
| Chromebook | Search + Shift + Space | Right-click a text field, then Emoji |
On a Mac
- Click where you want the emoji to go.
- Press Fn or the Globe key and E together. The emoji and symbols viewer opens.
- Click an emoji to insert it, or use the search field in the viewer.
If you prefer menus, choose Edit, then Emoji & Symbols. Apple's Mac guide also has a quicker trick: type a word such as "heart", then press the same shortcut, and you'll be offered emoji suggestions for it. You can also set the Fn or Globe key to open Emoji & Symbols on its own, in System Settings, then Keyboard.
Macworld lists Command-Control-Space as another way to open the same viewer. It isn't on Apple's own page, so treat it as a handy extra rather than the official route.
On Windows 11
- Click in a text field, such as an email or a chat box.
- Press the Windows key and the full stop (period) key together. The emoji panel appears.
- Pick an emoji with the mouse, or keep typing to search for one.
Microsoft's keyboard tips page points out that the same panel also offers GIFs, kaomoji and symbols, so it's worth a look even if you rarely use emoji. The steps here are for Windows 11.
On a Chromebook
Click into a text field and press Search, Shift and Space together, or right-click the text field and choose Emoji. Google's Chromebook help covers both routes. If you mainly want emoji in one app, there are app-specific guides too, such as adding emoji in Discord.
Emoji shortcut questions
What is the Mac emoji shortcut?
Fn or Globe plus E, according to Apple. Macworld also lists Command-Control-Space.
What is the Windows emoji shortcut?
The Windows key plus the full stop (period) key, according to Microsoft.
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Can I search for an emoji by name?
Yes. On Windows, keep typing after the panel opens. On a Mac, the viewer has a search field.
What is the Chromebook emoji shortcut?
Search plus Shift plus Space, or right-click a text field and pick Emoji.
Can I get GIFs from the Windows emoji panel?
Yes. Microsoft says the panel also offers GIFs, kaomoji and symbols.
If the keys on your keyboard look different
Key names vary by keyboard, so don't panic if yours doesn't show a Globe symbol. On a Mac, the menu route (Edit, then Emoji & Symbols) works whatever keys you have. On a Chromebook, right-clicking the text field does the same job as the shortcut. My advice: learn the one shortcut for the machine you use most, and keep the menu route as your backup. Once you know which emoji you reach for, this list of the most popular emojis and our guide to WhatsApp emoji meanings help you use them the way people read them. Steps checked as of Nov 2026.
