βΊοΈ and π both mean you're happy, but they look and feel a little different. βΊοΈ is a calm, content smile, and π is a warmer, broader one with smiling eyes.
The difference at a glance
| βΊοΈ Smiling face | π Smiling face with smiling eyes | |
|---|---|---|
| Look | Closed eyes, a soft smile and rosy cheeks (EmojiTerra: calm happiness) | Smiling eyes, a broad closed smile and rosy cheeks (Emojipedia) |
| Feeling | Content, shy, gentle, sincere | Warm, friendly, genuinely happy |
| Use | A thank-you or a quiet compliment | An all-purpose friendly smile |
| Design | Often outlined and flat; varies a lot by platform | Fairly consistent |
What does βΊοΈ mean?
- Content and warm. Emojipedia says π is similar but with a broader smile, no eyebrows and smiling eyes, which also tells you how βΊοΈ differs.
- Shy or cute. The top-rated answers on our smiling face page are "cute but shy" and "sign of appreciation".
- Sincere thanks. A Reddit commenter describes βΊοΈ as happy and satisfied, such as when saying thank you.
What does π mean?
Genuine happiness and warm, positive feelings (Emojipedia). It is the standard friendly smile, and the more common of the two. See the smiling face with smiling eyes page.
Which should I use?
- Use π for most friendly messages.
- Use βΊοΈ when you want a softer, quieter, slightly shy smile.
- Either one is safe at work.
One catch: βΊοΈ is drawn quite differently on different platforms, so it may look more neutral or more cheeky to the person receiving it. If it matters, use π.
Facts
- βΊοΈ smiling face: one of the original Unicode symbols (white smiling face); Apple added it in iOS 6.0
- π smiling face with smiling eyes: Unicode 6.0 (2010); Apple added it in iOS 6.0
Have your own take on either? Add it on the βΊοΈ page or the π page.