Want to make your Discord server stand out? Customizing your role icons is a great way to give your community a polished, professional look while adding a personal touch. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about setting up role icons on Discord, plus offer some pro tips to make your server shine.
🔍 What Are Discord Role Icons?
Role icons are small visuals that appear next to usernames in your server’s member list. They can be emojis or custom images that help visually differentiate roles. Think of them as badges of honor for your members—or quick identifiers for moderators, content creators, or VIPs.
Note: To use custom role icons, your server needs to be boosted to Level 2 or higher.
🧠 Why Use Role Icons?
Adding role icons isn’t just about aesthetics. Here’s why they matter:
- ✅ Clarity: Easily identify staff, bots, or special roles at a glance.
- 🎨 Customization: Add personality and branding to your community.
- 🌟 Engagement: Members love recognition. Icons help make roles feel more rewarding.
- 🧭 Navigation: Large servers become easier to manage and explore with visual cues.
⚙️ How to Add Role Icons on Discord
Here’s a simple step-by-step guide:
1. Open Your Server Settings
Click on your server name in the top-left corner, then select Server Settings.
2. Navigate to “Roles”
Go to the Roles tab on the left sidebar. Choose the role you want to edit or create a new one.
3. Scroll to the “Display” Section
You’ll find the option to set a role icon under the display settings.
4. Choose an Icon
You have three options:
- Default Emoji (from Discord’s built-in emoji set)
- Custom Emoji (uploaded to your server)
- Uploaded Image (JPG, PNG; ideally 64×64 px or 256×256 px max)
5. Save Changes
Once you select or upload your icon, hit Save Changes at the bottom.
That’s it! The icon will now appear next to members who have that role.
📱 Can You Add Role Icons on Mobile?
Yes—but with limited functionality. On mobile:
- You can only set emoji-based icons.
- To upload custom images, use the desktop or browser version of Discord.
🧩 Tips for the Best Role Icons
- Keep it simple and clean. Busy images won’t scale well.
- Use transparent backgrounds (PNG files) for a sleek look.
- Stay on-brand: match your icon colors with your server’s theme.
- Avoid text—icons are small and text won’t be legible.
🔐 Permissions and Visibility
Role icons show up in the member list based on your server’s role hierarchy. Only roles that are hoisted (set to appear separately) and assigned to users will display their icon. If you want the icon to appear, make sure the role is:
- Hoisted in the role settings
- Assigned to a user
- On a boosted server (Level 2+)
💬 Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need Discord Nitro to add role icons?
No, but your server must be boosted to Level 2 or above.
Can I use animated icons?
Currently, role icons do not support animation—even if it’s a GIF or animated emoji.
Can I stack multiple icons for one role?
No, each role can only have one icon.
Can I copy/paste icons between roles?
Yes, if you’re using emojis. Just copy the emoji and paste it into another role’s display section.
🚀 Final Thoughts
Custom role icons are one of the best ways to enhance your Discord server’s visual appeal and organization. Whether you’re running a gaming community, content creator server, or professional group, role icons help give your server identity and clarity.
Need help boosting your server to unlock role icons? Check out our Discord Server Boost Services to get to Level 2 faster and unlock premium features like these.
Got questions? Drop us a message or join our Discord community for hands-on tips, support, and more!