How to use Twitch Emotes by Samuel Tolbert

Twitch emotes can be fun. Spamming custom emotes not available elsewhere is a time-honored tradition and just plain fun. If you’re an aspiring creator, however, you might not be sure of exactly how to get custom emotes up and running on your channel.

How to use Twitch emotes

Using an emote on Twitch is quite simple. Once you subscribe to a channel, you can use that channel’s emotes anywhere else on Twitch.

1. Click on the smiley emoticon in the Chat window.

2. Select the emote you want to use.

   

3. Send your message with the emote in Chat.

Subscribing to a channel allows you to then use that channel’s emotes; however, if you’ve got a channel of your own and you’re interested in learning how to upload some custom emotes, it’s a bit more of an involved process.

How to make your own Twitch emotes

First, you need to make sure that your emote design doesn’t breach the Twitch Code of Conduct. There’s a lengthy list of what isn’t eligible, including hateful or obscene content, as well as the fact that you can’t take someone else’s design or use their likeness.

1. Choose your image. It needs to be a transparent png.
2. If you already have the three images that meet Twitch requirements, skip all the way down to step 9.
3. If you are making these images for the first time, begin by choosing the image you want to use. I’ll be using the PS5 DualSense controller as an example. Don’t actually use that.
4. You can use whatever image customizing software you want, but I’ll be using Paint 3D.

5. Insert your image on to the blank canvas.

   

6. Now click Magic Select.

7. Carefully outline the image to cut away everything you don’t want in the emote.

8. To make it easier to see your emotes in dark mode, you can include a 1-pixel off-white outline, if you so choose. This is recommended but not required.

   

9. Now, click Make Sticker and confirm the image as a sticker.

10. Click Menu.
11. Open a New project.
12. Now, click Canvas.
13. Turn on Transparent canvas.
14. Insert your sticker. Make sure to expand it, so it fills the available canvas.
15. Resize the image.

16. You’ll need the image in three different sizes: 28px x 28px, 56px x 56px, and 112px x 112px.

    

17. Each time you resize the image, save it as a png.

18. Now, you’re all set to upload your emote. Go to your Twitch Dashboard.
19. Go to the Affiliate/Partner Settings tab.
20. Click Emotes, and upload your emote in the sizes specified for each tier.
21. Click Save Changes.

Just like that, you’re all set to enjoy your new custom emotes. If you’re exploring streaming and you’re interested in learning how to stream games like Resident Evil 3 on Twitch, you can check out our guide here.

Our top picks

While they aren’t necessary to enjoy Twitch, a subscription to Twitch Prime allows you to enjoy one free subscription to a channel. As a result, you won’t need to fork out the cash for that subscription every month!

Free sub

Twitch Prime

$13/month at Amazon

Elevate your viewing experience

Twitch Prime is included with Amazon Prime and gives you access to special packs of skins and currency across different games like League of Legends, Apex Legends, and Fortnite. You’ll also get a free subscription to any Twitch channel of your choosing.

Other helpful items to enhance your streaming experience

If you want to stream yourself playing games on Twitch, there are a few other helpful pieces of equipment that you should consider getting.