If you’ve ever sent a 😂 in response to a message only to get a confused reply back, you know emojis don’t always translate the same way for everyone. While some people use them effortlessly, others might hesitate, wondering if the laughing emoji means “funny” or “I’m mocking you.”
This ambiguity made us want to see just how diverse emoji preferences and usage are across the U.S., so we asked residents in every state to tell us their favorite, least favorite, and most-used emojis. The results show a nation that loves to laugh, has strong opinions on certain symbols, and isn’t afraid to express itself—one tiny picture at a time.
So, which emojis do Americans adore? Which ones make them roll their eyes? And how does each state see itself in emoji form? We break down the findings and take a closer look at how different we’re using (or misusing) emojis every day.
Every U.S. State’s Favorite & Least Favorite Emoji
We wanted to start our emoji exploration out simply—by asking people what their favorite emojis are, which they like the least, and how they typically use them overall. Our insights are broken down by state with some larger takeaways on emoji etiquette following. Here’s what we discovered:
Every State’s Favorite Emoji
Some emojis have a way of bringing people together, and none do it better than some of the most good-natured ones we have at our disposal.
- 😂 (Face with Tears of Joy) – The clear favorite, ranking No. 1 in 24 states. Despite being declared “dead” by some younger users, this emoji still dominates screens all over the country.
- 🤣 (Rolling on the Floor Laughing) – Silver medalist, favored in 11 states. The top two emojis showing laughter tell us that we’re really all just out here trying to have a good time.
- 😊 (Smiling Face with Smiling Eyes) – The top pick in 9 states, proving that a smile goes a long way and will turn even the simplest message into one the reader knows was sent with kindness.
- 😘 (Face Blowing a Kiss) – Loved in Illinois, the only state where it took the top spot.
- 👍 (Thumbs Up) – Rhode Island’s favorite, perhaps demonstrating the area’s appreciation for simple, straightforward communication.
- ❤️ (Red Heart) – The favorite in Florida, telling us that the love and warmth clearly extend beyond just the sunshine.
Every State’s Least Favorite Emoji
On the other end of the spectrum, we have emojis that people aren’t finding quite as warm and welcoming. Some may be overused, others misunderstood, and a few just plain disliked.
- 💩 (Pile of Poo) – The most disliked emoji by far, topping the least-favorite list in 35 states. Once a playful response, it seems many Americans are ready to flush it away.
- 👌 (OK Hand) – The least favorite in 2 states. This emoji has seen a shift in perception over the years, which may explain its low ranking.
- 🙌 (Raising Hands) – Also the least favorite in 2 states, possibly due to its ambiguity—are they celebrating or surrendering? Going for a double high-five? Praising something? Who knows.
How Are Americans Using Emojis?
After we got to the bottom of the most pressing emoji-usage questions, we also uncovered some interesting insights into emoji usage, more generally. Here are some of the other standout findings from our survey.
- We asked people to rate their emoji use from 1-10. Women use them much more often (8 out of 10) than men (6.5 out of 10).
- Emojis are a texting staple. Nearly 1 in 2 Americans (48%) use them “often” in texts, while 28% use them “sometimes.” Only 9% rarely use emojis.
- The most common places people use emojis:
- Texting (96%)
- Reacting on social media (48%)
- Commenting on social media (39%)
- Work-related messages (9%)
- Emails (8%)
- Americans’ biggest emoji pet peeves:
- Replacing words with emojis (38%)
- Overusing the same emoji (23%)
- Using emojis in professional settings (19%)
- Reacting with emojis to serious topics (14%)
- Most popular emoji overall: 😂 (10% of Americans say it’s their favorite)
- Least popular emoji overall: 💩 (11% of Americans say it’s their least favorite)
- Most frequently used emoji: 😂 (18% of Americans use it the most)
- Most overused emoji: 😂 (20% of Americans say it’s overdone)
- Most misused emoji: 🙏 (13% of Americans say it’s often misunderstood—some see it as a prayer, others as a high-five)
Emojis have become a language of their own, shaping digital conversations in unique ways. While some, like 😂, remain crowd favorites, others, like 💩, are quickly losing their charm. Next, we wanted to have a little fun and see how clever Americans would be when asked to use a single emoji to describe where they live.
The Emoji That Best Describes Each State, According to Its Residents
Beyond personal favorites and usage habits, we wanted to see just how creative people could get with emojis, so we asked them to pick the one that best represents their home state. The results? A mix of spot-on choices, funny picks, and a few surprises. From iconic landmarks to local wildlife, many Americans know how to concisely explain their home with a single icon.
Five Standout Emoji-State Matches
From 🧀 in Wisconsin to 🥔 in Idaho to 💕 in Virginia, affirming that it is, in fact, for lovers, residents from all over the country understood the assignment and delivered. A few standouts are below.
- Alabama – 🐘 (Elephant): A fitting choice for a state where college football reigns supreme. The University of Alabama’s Crimson Tide has long been associated with the elephant mascot.
- Arizona – 🌵 (Cactus): With its vast desert landscapes and iconic saguaro cacti, Arizona’s choice couldn’t be more appropriate.
- California – 🐻 (Bear): A nod to the grizzly bear on the state flag, representing California’s rich history and rugged natural beauty.
- Louisiana – 🐊 (Alligator): No surprise here—Louisiana is famous for its bayous, and has the largest estimated alligator population in the U.S.
- New York – 🗽 (Statue of Liberty): A defining symbol of both the state and the country, the Statue of Liberty stands as a beacon of freedom and welcome in New York Harbor.
While many states used a unique emoji to capture their ethos, there were a few that popped up in several parts of the country:
- 🌽 (Corn) – 5 states: Sprawling cornfields cover the Midwest, so it’s no surprise that Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota all heavily identify with this staple crop.
- 🤠 (Cowboy) – 5 states: The cowboy spirit runs strong in Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia, where wide-open spaces and ranch life feel like they’re part of their day-to-day.
- 🌴 (Palm Tree) – 3 states: Florida, Hawaii, and South Carolina all chose the palm tree as a representation of their sun-soaked coasts.
- 🌲 (Confier) – 3 states: New Hampshire, Oregon, and Washington went with the pine tree, a fitting nod to each state’s dense coniferous forests and outdoor culture.
- 🏔 (Mountain) – 2 states: Colorado and Montana are both home to mountainous terrain, so this emoji is clearly one that their outdoorsy residents identify with.
- 🍕 (Pizza) – 2 states: Connecticut and New Jersey, two states famous for their distinct pizza styles, unsurprisingly picked the pizza slice as the emoji to describe their states.
From college mascots to natural landscapes, these emoji choices highlight what makes each state unique. While some are more predictable, others offer a fun look into how residents view their homes.
Closing Thoughts
No matter where you live, emojis add color, humor, and personality to the way we communicate. From laughing faces to state-proud symbols, they help capture the unique quirks of every corner of the country. Whether you’re throwing in a cowboy hat, a palm tree, or even some corn, there’s an emoji for everyone.
And if you’re someone who didn’t grow up using emojis, you’re not alone. Many older Americans still prefer the tried-and-true X’s and O’s of handwritten letters, or at most a nice “:)” to show the emotion behind the message.
Emojis help us express emotions quickly, but when it comes to big life choices—like what to do with an old life insurance policy—you’ll want a real conversation. If you’re holding onto a policy you no longer need, Ovid makes it easy to find out how much it could be worth. See if you qualify today!
Methodology
We surveyed over 2,400 Americans from 48 states to learn more about their emoji usage. We asked which their favorite and least favorite are, which they use the most, which they think is overdone, and which they think is used incorrectly most often. We also had them describe their state using only one emoji.
After we collected their emojis, we found out how much they like them, how frequently they use them, and what settings they typically use them in. We rounded out the study by asking what the most annoying emoji use habits are.
