To add a custom sticker on Discord, open Server Settings on desktop or in a browser, go to the Stickers tab and press Upload Sticker, then choose a 320 x 320 PNG or APNG under 512KB, give it a name and pick a related emoji. Every server gets 5 sticker slots, and Server Boost levels raise that to 60 at Level 3.
The catches people hit first: you can't upload, edit or delete custom stickers on the iOS or Android app at all, only PNG and APNG files are accepted, and once a sticker's uploaded you can't change the image. You delete it and upload a new one, and deleting is permanent. Here's how it all works as of October 2026.
How many sticker slots each Boost level gives
| Server Boost level | Extra slots | Total slots |
|---|---|---|
| No Boost (default) | None | 5 |
| Level 1 | +10 | 15 |
| Level 2 | +15 | 30 |
| Level 3 | +30 | 60 |
If your server drops a Boost level, the stickers aren't deleted. The ones that sit in the lost level just can't be used until the level comes back. You'll still see them under Server Settings, then Stickers, and you can delete them from there.
The file rules
- Format: PNG for a still sticker, APNG for an animated one.
- Size: 512KB at most.
- Dimensions: exactly 320px by 320px.
- Frame rate: up to 60 FPS for animated stickers.
Why 320? Discord renders stickers at 160 x 160 dp in desktop chat, so a 320 x 320 file keeps them crisp. Its advice for creators is to make the design fill as much of the canvas as possible. Transparent backgrounds are common: save the file with a transparent background layer, or cut the background out.
How to upload a sticker, step by step
- Open Server Settings on desktop or in your browser.
- Go to the Stickers tab and press Upload Sticker.
- Choose your file.
- Enter a name and pick a related Unicode emoji.
- Add a short description if you like, then save.
Don't skip the emoji. It's what makes your sticker show up in sticker suggestions on desktop and mobile, when someone types that emoji, and in the sticker drawer search.
Discord doesn't enforce a naming convention. It suggests names that are easy to remember, the text in the image, or the emotion or character, with examples such as Mad, Anger and Rage_Dog. For the description, Discord strongly recommends short alt text for screen reader users, without emojis and without describing the obvious. Its own example: 'A pink flower character smiles peacefully as it steps across the screen.'
There's no bulk upload, so it's one sticker at a time.
The APNG preview trap
An animated sticker won't animate if you only upload it through the chat bar upload. If you want to check the animation, preview it in Server Settings, then Stickers, then Upload, before you decide it's broken.
Editing and deleting stickers
Hover over a sticker in the Stickers tab. The pencil icon edits the name and emoji, and the red X deletes it. You can't edit the sticker file itself, and there's no undo once it's gone, so keep your original files somewhere safe.
Who can add stickers and who can use them
Two permissions control it. Create Expressions lets a role add stickers, and Manage Expressions lets a role edit and remove them. You'll find both under Server Settings, then Roles, the role, then Permissions and General Server Permissions. If you haven't set roles up yet, my guide to making roles on Discord covers permissions and role order.
Anyone who's joined your server can use its stickers there. Nitro subscribers can use them anywhere on Discord, in other servers and in DMs. That's one of the perks you give up on the free plan, and here's what Discord gives you without Nitro.
Want fewer stickers in your chat? There's no permission that switches stickers off completely. To stop members sending stickers from other servers, turn off Use External Emoji and Stickers for @everyone.
Want AI doing the heavy lifting in your marketing?
I build the systems that handle the boring 80 percent, so you get your week back. Done properly, with the human kept in.
For a closer look at the related setup, see Discord Forum Channels.
Someone stole your sticker art
Only the original owner of the art can report it, through a DMCA takedown request to Discord. A friend or a moderator can't file it on the artist's behalf.
You may also want Discord AutoMod.
My advice before you upload
Make every file at 320 x 320 from the start, keep the originals, and upload on desktop. Five slots go quickly, so pick the stickers your members will use every day before you think about Boosting for more. And if it's custom emojis you're after rather than stickers, they're a separate system: here's how to add emojis to Discord.
Frequently asked questions
How many stickers can a Discord server have?
Every server has 5 custom sticker slots. Boost Level 1 raises it to 15, Level 2 to 30 and Level 3 to 60.
Can I add Discord stickers on mobile?
No. On iOS or Android you can't upload, edit or delete custom stickers. Use desktop or a browser.
What size should a Discord sticker be?
Exactly 320px by 320px, 512KB at most, as a PNG or an animated APNG.
Can I edit a Discord sticker after uploading it?
You can change the name and emoji, but not the file. Delete the sticker and upload a new one, and remember deleting can't be undone.
Why isn't my animated sticker moving?
APNG stickers won't animate if you only upload them through the chat bar. Preview them in Server Settings, then Stickers, then Upload instead.
