How to Use Emoji Mixer & Emoji Kitchen: Create Custom Emoji Combos
What if you could combine two emojis into one completely new creation? That is exactly what Emoji Kitchen and Emoji Mixer let you do. These tools blend two emojis into a single mashed-up image, and the results are expressive, funny, and perfect for when no single emoji captures your mood.
This guide explains how both tools work, how they differ, the steps to combine emojis on phone and desktop, the best mashups to try, and how to save and share what you make.
What Is Emoji Kitchen?
Emoji Kitchen is a feature originally built by Google that generates a pre-made mashup image when you combine two compatible emojis. It lives inside Gboard, Google's keyboard, and it also runs on the web. Each mashup is a hand-drawn illustration, not an automatic filter, so the pairs that Google has designed look clean and consistent.
For example, combining ๐ + ๐ฅ gives you a crying-laughing face on fire. Combining ๐ธ + โ gives you the Kermit sipping tea face. Because the images are illustrated by hand, they carry small details that a plain overlay would miss, like matching eyes, shadows, and props.
What Is Emoji Mixer?
Emoji Mixer is the broader idea: any tool that lets you blend two emojis into one hybrid picture. BestEmojis runs its own mixer at /emoji-mixer, where you pick two emojis from a grid and see the combined version right away. It works in any browser, so you are not tied to a specific keyboard or phone brand.
Emoji Kitchen vs Emoji Mixer: The Difference
People use the two names interchangeably, but there is a real distinction worth knowing before you start.
- Emoji Kitchen: Google's official set of designed sticker pairs. Fixed catalog, polished art, tied to Gboard or a web viewer. You get a great result only when Google has drawn that specific pair.
- Emoji Mixer: any web tool, including ours, that helps you pick and preview combinations without installing a keyboard. It is the friendlier route on iPhone and desktop, and it is the fastest way to browse combos before you send them.
Short version: Emoji Kitchen is the source of the artwork, and a good Emoji Mixer is the easiest way to reach it. If you are on Android with Gboard, the built-in feature is right there; on anything else, a browser mixer saves you the setup. You can also browse curated pairs on our emoji kitchen page.
How to Use the Emoji Mixer on BestEmojis
- Open bestemojis.com/emoji-mixer in any browser.
- Click the first emoji slot and pick your starting emoji from the grid.
- Click the second emoji slot and pick the emoji you want to blend it with.
- The mixed result appears instantly in the preview area.
- Click the result to copy it, or download it as an image to reuse later.
No account is needed and there is no app to install. It runs directly in your browser on phone or desktop, so you can test a dozen pairs in under a minute.
How to Use Emoji Kitchen on Gboard
- Open any app where you type, such as Messages, WhatsApp, or Instagram DMs.
- Tap the emoji button on your Gboard keyboard.
- Tap any emoji once. A row of suggested mashups appears above the keyboard.
- Scroll the suggestions, or tap a second emoji to see that specific pairing.
- Tap any mashup image to drop it into your message as a sticker.
If a pair has no designed art, the suggestion row simply will not show that combo. That is normal, and the next section covers how to work around it.
Does It Work on iPhone?
Yes, with one setup step. Emoji Kitchen is a Gboard feature, and Gboard is on the App Store. Install it, set it as your keyboard in Settings, and the mashup suggestions behave the same as on Android. If you would rather not swap keyboards, the web mixer is the simpler path: open the mixer in Safari, pick two emojis, and save the image. Either way, iPhone users are covered. For a wider look at typing emojis across devices, see our guide on how to type emojis on every device.
Best Emoji Combinations to Try
Funny combinations
- ๐ธโ: Kermit sipping tea, classic "but that is none of my business" energy.
Cute combinations
Mood combinations
Want ready-made strings for captions and replies instead of single mashups? Our roundup of the best emoji combinations for texting and this list of funny emoji combos to send friends pair well with the mixer. You can also browse the full emoji combinations hub for themed sets.
Tips for Better Combos
A few habits make the difference between a flat overlay and a mashup that reads instantly.
- Lead with a face. Faces and animals have the most designed pairs, so start there and add a prop or symbol.
- Swap for a cousin. If a pair returns nothing, trade one emoji for a close relative, like ๐ถ instead of ๐ฆ, and a result usually appears.
- Match the emotion, not just the picture. ๐ญ plus ๐ง๏ธ works because both signal sadness; random pairs often fall flat.
- Keep it to two. Both tools blend two emojis at a time. For longer statements, string separate emojis in the message text.
- Preview before you send. Use the mixer to eyeball a few options, then send the one that lands. If you want a starting point, hit the random emoji generator and mix whatever comes up.
Where Can You Use Emoji Mixer Stickers?
Mixed emojis work anywhere you can send an image:
- Google Messages: full native support, the mashups insert inline.
- WhatsApp: send as an image attachment.
- Instagram DMs: share as a photo.
- iMessage: works as an image.
- Twitter/X, Discord, Telegram: upload as an image.
The mixed emojis are PNGs with transparent backgrounds, so they sit cleanly on any chat app without an ugly white box behind them.
How to Save and Share Your Mashups
On the web mixer, tap the result to copy it, or use the download button to save the PNG. From there you can attach it in any chat, drop it into a story, or set it as a reaction. On Gboard, tapping a mashup inserts it straight into the message, and long-pressing lets you copy it for reuse. Because the files are transparent PNGs, they layer nicely over photos and colored backgrounds too.
How Many Emoji Combinations Exist?
Google's Emoji Kitchen supports over 50,000 combinations. Not every pair has a dedicated mashup; Google picks pairs that produce something interesting or useful. When you choose an unsupported pair, the tool falls back to showing the two emojis side by side instead of a blended image.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Emoji Mixer free to use?
Yes. The mixer at BestEmojis is completely free, with no account and no download.
Can I use the mixed emojis commercially?
Emoji Kitchen artwork is part of Google's open-source Noto Emoji project. It is generally fine for personal use; for commercial use, check Google's Noto Emoji license terms first.
Why doesn't my combination show a mashup?
Not every pair has designed art. Google created stickers for specific matchups, so if nothing appears, that exact pair is not supported yet. Swap one emoji for a similar one and a result usually pops up.
Does Emoji Kitchen work on iPhone?
Yes. Install Gboard from the App Store, set it as your keyboard, and you get the same mashup suggestions. Or skip the setup and use the web mixer on any device.
Ready to start mixing? Head to the BestEmojis Emoji Mixer, pick two emojis, and see what comes out. You might find your new favorite way to react to a message.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Emoji Mixer and Emoji Kitchen?+
Emoji Kitchen is Google's feature that blends two existing emojis into one designed sticker, available in Gboard. Emoji Mixer tools online let you experiment with combos and preview mashups on any device, including iPhone, without needing Gboard or an Android phone.
Can I use Emoji Kitchen on an iPhone?+
Emoji Kitchen is built into Gboard, so install the Gboard keyboard from the App Store, set it as your keyboard, then tap two compatible emojis to see the sticker suggestions. Web-based mixer tools are the simpler route if you'd rather not switch keyboards.
Why won't two emojis mix together?+
Not every pair has a designed combination. Google only created stickers for certain matchups, so if nothing appears, one of the two isn't supported yet. Try swapping one emoji for a similar one, like using ๐ถ instead of ๐ฆ, and a result usually pops up.
What are some fun emoji combos to try first?+
Beginners love the classics: ๐ถ with โค๏ธ, ๐ with any face, or ๐ฅ with a heart for a glowing result. Melting or crying combos also get big reactions. Start with popular faces and animals, since those have the most designed mashups available.
About BestEmojis Team
The Best Emojis team is dedicated to helping you find the perfect emojis for every occasion. We provide comprehensive guides, tips, and a vast collection of free emojis for all your communication needs.