Using Custom Emojis in Discord Channels

How to Add a Custom Emoji to a Discord Channel Name

You can put a custom emoji directly in a Discord channel's name — but only for voice channels. This trick does not work for text channels or forum channels, where Discord strips custom emoji codes from the channel name.

Prerequisites

You need the Manage Channels permission in the server.
The custom emoji must already be uploaded to a server you're a member of.
The channel must be a voice channel. Text and forum channels are not supported.

Step 1: Get the Custom Emoji Code

Open any text chat in a server where the custom emoji is available.
Type a backslash followed by the emoji's name, e.g. \:myemoji:, and press Enter.
Discord will send the raw emoji code in chat, which looks like <:myemoji:1234567890> (or <a:myemoji:1234567890> for animated emojis).
Copy that entire code, including the angle brackets.

Step 2: Paste It Into the Voice Channel Name

Hover over the voice channel in the channel list and click the gear icon to open Edit Channel.
In the Channel Name field, paste the emoji code you copied.
You can also add regular text and Unicode emojis before or after it.
Click Save Changes.

Step 3: Verify It Worked

The voice channel should now display your custom emoji as part of its name in the channel list. If it shows as plain text instead, double-check that you copied the full <:name:id> code and that the emoji belongs to a server you're still a member of.

Why This Doesn't Work in Text or Forum Channels

Discord intentionally filters custom emoji codes out of text and forum channel names — so even if you paste the code in correctly, it'll either be stripped or rendered as plain text. Voice channels are the only channel type that currently renders custom emojis in their names.

Tips

You don't need Discord Nitro for this — only the Manage Channels permission.
Animated custom emojis also work in voice channel names.
If the emoji is removed from its original server, the channel name will fall back to plain text.