How to Read Kaomoji: Eyes, Mouths, Arms & Extras Explained

Updated · 2 min read

Every kaomoji is built from the same few parts: a face outline, eyes, a mouth, and optional arms, cheeks, and effects. Once you know what each part signals, you can read faces you have never seen and pick the right one for any message.

The anatomy of a kaomoji

Take (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧. Reading left to right: ﾉ is a raised arm, ( is the left side of the face, ◕ is an eye, ヮ is an open, happy mouth, the second ◕ is the other eye, ) closes the face, ﾉ is the other arm, and *:･ﾟ✧ is a burst of sparkles. Put together: someone throwing their arms up and scattering glitter in delight.

PartJobExamples
OutlineFrames the face; shape hints at the mood( ) （ ） ʕ ʔ ｛ ｝
EyesCarry most of the emotion^ ^ ◕ ◕ T T ಠ ಠ
MouthAdds tone or intensity‿ ▽ ω □ ﹏
ArmsShow action or gestureヽ ノ ╯ ╯ ┐ ┌ m m
ExtrasBlush, sweat, tears, sparkles, objects〃 ; ✧ ♡ ┻━┻

Eyes: where the emotion lives

In kaomoji, the eyes do most of the work. Changing only the eyes can flip a face from joy to tears.

  • (^_^)

    ^ ^ eyes

    Closed, smiling eyes: calm happiness.

  • (◕‿◕)

    ◕ ◕ eyes

    Big, shining eyes: bright, cute, eager.

  • (T_T)

    T T eyes

    Tears streaming down: crying.

  • (ಠ_ಠ)

    ಠ ಠ eyes

    A hard stare: disapproval.

  • (>_<)

    > < eyes

    Squeezed shut: frustration or pain.

  • (¬_¬)

    ¬ ¬ eyes

    Side-eye: suspicion or annoyance.

Mouths: tone and intensity

  • ‿ — a gentle curve: soft, sweet smile.
  • ▽ — open and wide: laughing or excited.
  • ω — a cat-like mouth: playful, smug, or cute. It is also the 'w' in UwU.
  • □ — a square, open mouth: shouting or shock.
  • ﹏ — wavy: wobbly, upset, about to cry.
  • ᴥ — a little snout: animals, especially bears.

Arms and hands: what the face is doing

  • ヽ(°〇°)ﾉ

    Arms raised

    ヽ and ﾉ up high: excitement or alarm.

  • (╯°□°)╯

    Arms thrown

    ╯ arms flinging something: anger.

  • ┐(￣ヘ￣)┌

    Palms up

    ┐ ┌ shrugging arms: 'whatever'.

  • (づ｡◕‿‿◕｡)づ

    Reaching out

    づ hands reach forward: a hug.

  • m(_ _)m

    Hands down

    m m hands on the floor: a bow.

  • (ง •̀_•́)ง

    Fists up

    ง fists ready: determination or a fight.

Cheeks, sweat, and effects

SymbolMeaningExample
〃 or ⁄ ⁄Blushing cheeks(〃▽〃)
;A sweat drop: nervous or awkward(^_^;)
✧ ･ﾟSparkles: delight or magic(ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧
♡Love or affection(♡˙︶˙♡)
💢 or #An anger vein(＃`Д´)
zzZSleeping(－_－) zzZ

Blushing cheeks are the signature of shy kaomoji, while tears and wavy mouths define crying kaomoji. Spotting one of these extras is often the fastest way to read a face.

Practice: read these faces

Try reading each face before you look at the note. You now know every part they use.

  • (｡•́︿•̀｡)

    Pleading

    Big watery eyes and a frown: 'please' or gentle sadness.

  • (￣ー￣)

    Smug

    Flat, half-closed eyes and a thin smile: 'I knew it.'

  • (⊙_⊙)

    Stunned

    Wide circle eyes, flat mouth: shocked silence.

  • ヾ(＾∇＾)

    Waving

    ヾ is a hand waving: 'hi!' or 'bye!'

Ready to make your own? Combine any eyes, mouth, and arms in the kaomoji generator, or browse thousands of finished text faces.

Frequently asked questions

  • Why are the eyes so important in kaomoji?

    Because kaomoji are upright, the eyes sit where you naturally look first. Most emotions are shown by changing the eyes, while the mouth adds tone.

  • What does ω mean in a kaomoji?

    ω is the Greek letter omega used as a cat-like mouth. It makes a face read as cute, playful, or a little smug, as in (・ω・) or UwU.

  • What does the semicolon mean in (^_^;)?

    The semicolon is a sweat drop on the side of the head, so the face is smiling nervously or awkwardly.