Wondering how to type an emoji as simple text or turn a text character into a colorful emoji? Curious if there’s a plain text snowman or skier? Looking for the big, emoji version of an arrow? Find out here how to get the plain text version of emojis and vice versa ⤓ for use in documents, text messages, HTML, and everything in between.
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How to Get the Plain Text Version of Emojis
Time needed: 3 minutes
To get the textual representation of an emoji character (to incorporate in text, using custom color, etc.):
- Enable an input method for your system that lets you enter Unicode codepoints directly.
Windows: How to Type Any Unicode Character on Windows
Mac: How to Enter a Unicode Character on a Mac
HTML: You can get your browser to render the text version of an emoji; see below.
Even easier: Instead of entering the codepoints directly, copy them using the converter below. - Enter the codepoint for the emoji you want to turn into text.
Example: Use
U+1F310for a globe with meridians and longitudinal lines (🌐).
Identifying emoji: You can usually reveal hidden characters and Unicode code points for any text using desktop and web tools. - Enter the codepoint
U+FE0Eimmediately afterwards.Here’s why: This codepoint modifies the character before it; switching it to its textual representation.
Not always: Note that this does not work for all characters; only emoji that have a text version can be modified like this.
Example:U+1F310U+FE0Ebecomes 🌐︎.
Looking for an emoji for vice versa? The “Vice Versa” Emoji and How to Get It
Get the Colorful Emoji Version of a Unicode Text Symbol
To ensure the emoji version of a symbol is displayed:
- Input the Unicode codepoint for the symbol you want to show as an emoji.
Unicode input: See above for Unicode input methods.
Example:U+2714is a checkmark ✔︎. - Enter
U+FE0Fimmediately following the first codepoint.
Example:U+2714U+FE0Fbecomes ✔️.
How to Get the Plain Text or Emoji Version for Symbols in HTML
To instruct browsers to render a symbol as either an emoji or as a text character using HTML:
- Follow the character immediately with the appropriate Unicode character entity from the table below in the HTML source code.
| Function | HTML Entity |
|---|---|
| Select text version | ︎ |
| Select emoji version | ️ |
Emoji ⇋ Plain Text Symbol Converter
| Text Character | Emoji | |
|---|---|---|
|
|
How to Get the Plain Text Version of Emojis (and Vice Versa): FAQ
What happens if no plain text version for an emoji exists?
For emojis that consist of a single Unicode codepoint that do not have a corresponding text representation, the emoji will typically be displayed.
For emojis that are themselves a combination of multiple codepoints, the result is unpredictable but will usually involve the original emoji plus a stray character; in theory, combining multiple codepoints with a modifying character should be possible.
If a character does not have a corresponding emoji, the character itself will be displayed as an emoji.
What are some symbols I can try?
In the converter, you can try some of the following to reveal their text — or emoji — counterpart:
| Description | Text Character | Emoji |
|---|---|---|
| Sun | ☀️ | |
| Cloud with lightning and rain | ⛈︎ | |
| Snowman | ☃️ | |
| Globe | 🌐︎ | |
| Up and down arrow | ↕️ | |
| Lightning | ⚡︎ | |
| Hourglass | ⌛ | |
| Skier | ⛷︎ | |
| Smiling face emoji | ☺️ | |
| Ticked checkbox | ☑ | |
| Gear | ⚙️ | |
| Watch | ⌚︎ |
Looking for emoji to convert? The Best Emoji Finder Websites
(First published November 2023, last updated June 2026)