Shrug Emoji Generator
Generate shrug emoji ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ in different fonts and styles. Perfect for expressing confusion, indifference, or "I don't know" moments in text messages, social media, and online conversations.
Click to Copy Any Shrug Emoji
Add Custom Text
How to Type Shrug Emoji Manually
Step-by-Step Typing Guide
Type the macron: ¯
Alt + 0175 (Windows) or Option + Shift + Hyphen (Mac)
Type backslash and underscore: \\_
Standard keyboard characters
Type opening parenthesis: (
Standard keyboard character
Type the katakana: ツ
Copy from here or use Japanese keyboard
Type closing parenthesis: )
Standard keyboard character
Type underscore and forward slash: _/
Standard keyboard characters
Type the final macron: ¯
Same as step 1
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Final Result
Keyboard Shortcuts
Windows:
- Alt + 0175for macron (¯)
- Alt + 92for backslash (\)
- Shift + -for underscore (_)
Mac:
- Option + Shift + -for macron (¯)
- Option + \for backslash (\)
- Shift + -for underscore (_)
Mobile:
Copy and paste is recommended for mobile devices, or use our generator above.
Quick Copy Characters
Click any character to copy it
Platform-Specific Tips
Discord:
Use double backslashes: ¯\\\\_(ツ)_/¯
Reddit:
Escape the backslashes: ¯\\\\\\_(ツ)_/¯
Slack:
Standard format works: ¯\\_(ツ)_/¯
WhatsApp/SMS:
Copy-paste is most reliable for consistent display
About Shrug Emoji ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
The shrug emoji is a popular text-based emoticon used to express indifference, confusion, or uncertainty. It's become one of the most recognizable ASCII art expressions on the internet.
The shrug emoji ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ is a text-based emoticon that depicts a person shrugging their shoulders, typically used to convey:
- Indifference - "I don't care" or "whatever"
- Uncertainty - "I don't know" or "I'm not sure"
- Confusion - "I don't understand"
- Resignation - "There's nothing I can do about it"
- Casual dismissal - "It is what it is"
The classic version consists of:
- ¯ (macron) - representing the head/hair
- \ and / - representing the arms
- _ - representing the hands
- (ツ) - a Japanese katakana character representing the face
The shrug emoji can be used in various contexts:
- Text messages - Perfect for casual conversations
- Social media - Twitter, Facebook, Instagram posts and comments
- Email - Informal business communications
- Forums and chat - Discord, Reddit, Slack messages
- Gaming - In-game chat and communication
Examples of usage:
- "What do you want for dinner?" → "¯\_(ツ)_/¯"
- "Why is the website down?" → "Server issues ¯\_(ツ)_/¯"
- "How was your day?" → "Could be better ¯\_(ツ)_/¯"
While ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ is the most common version, there are many creative variations:
Size Variations:
- Small: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
- Medium: ¯\\_(ツ)_/¯
- Large: ¯\\\\\\_(ツ)_/¯////
Different Faces:
- Happy: ¯\_(シ)_/¯
- Sad: ¯\_(╥﹏╥)_/¯
- Angry: ¯\_(ಠ_ಠ)_/¯
- Winking: ¯\_(^_~)_/¯
Unicode Alternatives:
- 🤷 - Official shrug emoji
- 🤷♂️ - Man shrugging
- 🤷♀️ - Woman shrugging
The shrug emoji has an interesting history in internet culture:
- Early 2000s - First appeared in online forums and chat rooms
- Japanese influence - The face (ツ) comes from Japanese emoticon culture
- ASCII art tradition - Part of the broader ASCII art movement
- Meme culture - Became popular in meme and internet culture
- Mainstream adoption - Now widely used across all age groups and platforms
The emoji gained particular popularity on:
- Reddit and other forum sites
- Twitter and microblogging platforms
- Gaming communities and chat applications
- Professional communication tools like Slack
How do I type the shrug emoji?
You can copy and paste it from this page, or type it manually: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯. The characters needed are: macron (¯), backslashes (\), underscores (_), parentheses (), and the katakana character ツ.
Why does the shrug emoji sometimes appear broken?
Some platforms or applications may not display all Unicode characters correctly, especially the katakana character (ツ) or the macron (¯). Using our generator ensures you get properly formatted versions.
Is it professional to use shrug emoji at work?
It depends on your workplace culture. In casual team communications or informal messages, it's often acceptable. However, avoid using it in formal emails or important business communications.
What's the difference between ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ and 🤷?
¯\_(ツ)_/¯ is a text-based ASCII emoticon that works on all platforms, while 🤷 is a Unicode emoji that may not display on older systems or in plain text environments.
Can I customize the shrug emoji?
Yes! You can replace the face (ツ) with other characters, adjust the arm length, or add text before or after it. Our generator offers several variations and custom text options.