YouTube Gaming Emotes Guide: Channel Memberships & Custom Emoji (2026)
Complete guide to YouTube Gaming channel membership emoji. Learn sizes, requirements, upload process, and how to create emotes for your YouTube community.
YouTube Gaming has quietly become a major player in the streaming world, and with it comes a unique emoji system for channel members. If you're streaming on YouTube—or thinking about expanding there—understanding their emoji requirements is essential for building a cohesive brand across platforms.
Having helped creators manage emotes across multiple platforms, I've noticed YouTube's system often gets overlooked. It's different enough from Twitch that you can't just upload the same files, but similar enough that your designs can work with some adjustments.
How YouTube Emoji Differ from Twitch Emotes
Before diving into specs, let's understand the key differences:
- They're called "emoji," not emotes: YouTube uses the term "custom emoji" for membership perks
- Tied to membership levels: Different emoji unlock at different membership tiers
- Simpler size requirements: Fewer sizes needed compared to Twitch
- Different approval process: YouTube reviews emoji for policy compliance
YouTube Custom Emoji Size Requirements
YouTube's requirements are more streamlined than Twitch's three-size system:
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 48×48 pixels minimum (recommended: 64×64 or higher) |
| File Format | PNG (recommended) or GIF for animated |
| Maximum File Size | 1 MB |
| Transparency | Supported and recommended |
| Aspect Ratio | 1:1 (square) |
Why 64×64 Is Your Best Bet
While YouTube accepts 48×48, I recommend uploading at 64×64 for several reasons:
- Future-proofing: YouTube may increase display sizes as screens get sharper
- Better quality on high-DPI displays: Retina screens and 4K monitors benefit from higher resolution sources
- Cross-platform compatibility: 64×64 matches Kick and Discord medium sizes exactly
Animated Emoji on YouTube
YouTube supports animated custom emoji, which is a significant advantage for creators:
- Format: GIF
- Max file size: 1 MB (same as static)
- Duration: Keep loops short (1-3 seconds recommended)
- Frame rate: 10-15 fps works well
The 1MB limit can be challenging for animated emoji. Use the same optimization techniques as Twitch GIFs: reduce frame count, limit color palette, and keep movements simple.
Setting Up YouTube Channel Memberships
Before you can upload custom emoji, you need channel memberships enabled:
Eligibility Requirements
- At least 500 subscribers (was 1,000, reduced in recent updates)
- Channel must be at least 6 months old
- Must be in the YouTube Partner Program
- No active Community Guidelines strikes
- Located in an eligible country
Enabling Memberships
- Go to YouTube Studio → Monetization
- Click on the "Memberships" tab
- Follow the setup wizard to create tiers
- Upload custom emoji for each tier
Membership Tiers and Emoji Allocation
YouTube allows up to 6 membership tiers, and you can assign different emoji to each level:
- Basic emoji: Available to all members regardless of tier
- Tier-specific emoji: Unlock as members reach higher levels
- Loyalty badges: Separate from emoji, show membership duration
Strategic Emoji Distribution
Think strategically about which emoji go where:
- Lower tiers: Your most versatile, commonly-used reactions (hype, laugh, love)
- Mid tiers: More specific expressions and inside jokes
- Top tiers: Exclusive, special emoji that make supporters feel valued
YouTube vs. Twitch: Quick Comparison
| Feature | YouTube | Twitch |
|---|---|---|
| Terminology | Custom Emoji | Emotes |
| Sizes Required | 1 size (48×48+) | 3 sizes (28, 56, 112) |
| Animated Support | Yes (GIF) | Yes (GIF) |
| Max File Size | 1 MB | 1 MB per size |
| Tied To | Membership tiers | Sub points/tier |
| Global Emotes | No equivalent | Yes (BTTV, FFZ, 7TV) |
Designing for Both Platforms
If you stream on both YouTube and Twitch, here's how to maintain consistency:
Use the Same Source Files
Create your emote designs at high resolution (256×256 or larger), then export at the appropriate sizes for each platform. Never upscale from Twitch's 28×28—always work from your master file.
Match Your Naming Convention
If your Twitch emote is creatorHype, use the same name on YouTube when possible. This helps your community find familiar expressions across platforms.
Use StreamEmote for Multi-Platform Export
Our free emote resizer generates sizes for YouTube (64×64), Twitch (28, 56, 112), Kick, and Discord in one download. Upload once, get everything organized by platform.
YouTube Emoji Best Practices
Test in Live Chat
YouTube's chat interface has different styling than Twitch. Preview your emoji in actual YouTube chat before finalizing—some designs that work on Twitch may need adjustments.
Consider Mobile Viewers
YouTube has a massive mobile audience. Test how your emoji look on the YouTube app, where they may display at different sizes than desktop.
Use High Contrast
YouTube's live chat can appear over video content. High contrast and clear outlines help your emoji remain visible regardless of background.
Keep It Simple
This applies everywhere, but especially at 48×48: simpler designs read better. If it's not clear what your emoji represents at a glance, simplify.
Common Issues and Solutions
"My emoji looks blurry"
Upload at 64×64 or higher. YouTube displays emoji at various sizes, and higher resolution sources scale better.
"Emoji was rejected"
YouTube reviews emoji for policy compliance. Ensure yours doesn't contain copyrighted content, inappropriate material, or misleading elements. When in doubt, keep it simple and original.
"Animated emoji file is too large"
GIF optimization is crucial. Reduce frame count, limit colors to 64 or fewer, and use tools like ezgif.com for compression.
Using StreamEmote for YouTube
When you drop your source image into StreamEmote, we generate YouTube-ready sizes along with all other platforms. Our 64×64 output works perfectly for YouTube memberships.
The workflow is simple:
- Upload your high-res source image
- Preview on different backgrounds
- Download the ZIP file
- Find YouTube sizes in the Discord/Kick folder (64×64)
Final Thoughts
YouTube's emoji system is simpler than Twitch's in some ways, which makes it easier to get started. But the same fundamental principles apply: design for small sizes, use transparency, keep it simple, and maintain consistency across your brand.
As YouTube Gaming continues to grow, having polished custom emoji can help set your channel apart and give your members something special to use in chat. Take the time to get them right.
Need help creating emoji for multiple platforms? StreamEmote handles the resizing so you can focus on great designs.
About the Author
StreamEmote Team
Written by the StreamEmote Team — developers and content creators dedicated to helping streamers succeed. We've processed hundreds of thousands of emotes and share our expertise to help you create the best content for your channel.
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