How to emote in lol

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Last updated: April 4, 2026

Quick Answer: Emoting in League of Legends is done using the "Alt" key combined with the corresponding emote slot number (1-4) or by using the emote wheel. This allows you to express yourself to teammates and opponents during gameplay, adding a layer of social interaction.

Key Facts

What are Emotes in League of Legends?

Emotes are a cosmetic feature in League of Legends that allows players to express themselves visually and audibly during matches. They range from champion-specific animations and voice lines to universal icons and sound effects. Emotes add a layer of personality and social interaction to the game, enabling players to celebrate successes, taunt opponents, or communicate non-verbally with their team.

How to Use Emotes

There are two primary methods for using emotes in League of Legends:

1. Using the Emote Hotkeys:

By default, League of Legends assigns four emote slots to your keyboard. You can trigger an emote by holding down the Alt key and pressing the corresponding number key for the emote you wish to use. The default assignments are:

These hotkeys provide quick and easy access to your most frequently used emotes, allowing for rapid deployment during the heat of battle or moments of triumph.

2. Using the Emote Wheel:

For a more visual selection, you can utilize the emote wheel. To access the emote wheel, hold down the Ctrl key and then right-click and hold on your screen. A radial menu will appear, displaying your equipped emotes. You can then drag your mouse cursor to the desired emote and release the right-click to activate it. This method is particularly useful when you want to choose from a wider selection of emotes or when you're unsure of the exact hotkey assignment.

Customizing Your Emotes

Players can customize which emotes appear in their four default slots. This is done through the Collection tab in the League of Legends client.

  1. Navigate to the Collection tab.
  2. Select Emotes from the left-hand menu.
  3. Here, you will see your available emotes. You can drag and drop emotes into the four designated slots to assign them to your Alt + 1 through Alt + 4 hotkeys.

Beyond the initial four slots, players can unlock additional emote slots through various means, such as achieving specific champion mastery levels or participating in events. These additional slots can often be accessed via the emote wheel, providing an even greater range of expression.

Types of Emotes

League of Legends offers a diverse array of emotes:

The Purpose of Emotes

While emotes are purely cosmetic and do not provide any gameplay advantage, they serve several important functions:

Understanding how to effectively and appropriately use emotes can enhance your overall League of Legends experience by adding a rich layer of social interaction to the strategic gameplay.

Sources

  1. Emote | League of Legends WikiCC-BY-SA-3.0
  2. Emotes - Riot Games Supportfair-use
  3. League of Legends emotes guide: how to use, how to get, how to unlockfair-use

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