Snapchat Symbols & Slang Decoder
Search any Snapchat symbol, friend emoji, chat icon or slang term. Meanings marked “Snapchat meaning” follow Snapchat’s own help center.
Yellow heart (Besties)
Snapchat meaningYou are each other’s #1 Best Friend: you send each other the most Snaps.
Red heart (BFF)
Snapchat meaningYou have been each other’s #1 Best Friend for two weeks in a row.
Pink hearts (Super BFF)
Snapchat meaningYou have been each other’s #1 Best Friend for two months in a row.
Smiling face (BFs)
Snapchat meaningOne of your Best Friends, but not your #1. You send them a lot of Snaps.
Grimacing face (Mutual Besties)
Snapchat meaningYour #1 Best Friend is also their #1 Best Friend.
Sunglasses (Mutual BFs)
Snapchat meaningOne of your Best Friends is also one of their Best Friends.
Fire (Streak)
Snapchat meaningYou have Snapped each other on consecutive days. The number shows how many days.
Hourglass (Streak ending)
Snapchat meaningYour Streak is about to end. Snap each other within 24 hours to keep it.
Birthday cake
Snapchat meaningIt’s your friend’s birthday, based on the birthday they entered in Snapchat.
Filled arrow (sent)
Snapchat meaningYou sent a Snap or Chat. Red = Snap without audio, purple = Snap with audio, blue = Chat.
Hollow arrow (opened)
Snapchat meaningYour friend opened the Snap or Chat you sent.
Filled square (received)
Snapchat meaningYou have an unopened Snap (red or purple) or an unread Chat (blue).
Hollow square (viewed)
Snapchat meaningYou have viewed the Snap or Chat a friend sent you.
Two crossed arrows (screenshot)
Snapchat meaningSomeone took a screenshot of your Snap or Chat.
Circular arrow (replay)
Snapchat meaningYour friend replayed the Snap you sent.
Grey pending icon
Snapchat meaningPending: the person may not have accepted your friend request, or the Snap or Chat may have expired.
Green dot on an avatar
Snapchat meaningThat friend has been active on Snapchat recently. It doesn’t mean they are online right now, and anyone can turn it off.
“Time Sensitive” notification
Device settingAn iPhone label for notifications allowed to break through Focus or Do Not Disturb. It’s an iOS setting, not a message from your friend.
SB
Common slangSnap back: reply to my Snap.
WYLL
Common slangWhat you look like? A request to see a selfie.
NFS
Common slangUsually “not for sale” or “no funny stuff”. The meaning depends on context.
AFK
Common slangAway from keyboard: not available right now.
WYD
Common slangWhat (are) you doing?
HMU
Common slangHit me up: message or call me.
NGL
Common slangNot gonna lie.
IYKYK
Common slangIf you know, you know: an inside joke.
OOMF
Common slangOne of my followers (or friends).
TTYL
Common slangTalk to you later.
Snapchat Friend Emojis Meaning
| Symbol | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 💛 | Yellow heart (Besties) | You are each other’s #1 Best Friend: you send each other the most Snaps. |
| ❤️ | Red heart (BFF) | You have been each other’s #1 Best Friend for two weeks in a row. |
| 💕 | Pink hearts (Super BFF) | You have been each other’s #1 Best Friend for two months in a row. |
| 😊 | Smiling face (BFs) | One of your Best Friends, but not your #1. You send them a lot of Snaps. |
| 😬 | Grimacing face (Mutual Besties) | Your #1 Best Friend is also their #1 Best Friend. |
| 😎 | Sunglasses (Mutual BFs) | One of your Best Friends is also one of their Best Friends. |
| 🔥 | Fire (Streak) | You have Snapped each other on consecutive days. The number shows how many days. |
| ⌛ | Hourglass (Streak ending) | Your Streak is about to end. Snap each other within 24 hours to keep it. |
| 🎂 | Birthday cake | It’s your friend’s birthday, based on the birthday they entered in Snapchat. |
Snapchat Chat Icons Meaning
| Symbol | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ➤ | Filled arrow (sent) | You sent a Snap or Chat. Red = Snap without audio, purple = Snap with audio, blue = Chat. |
| ▷ | Hollow arrow (opened) | Your friend opened the Snap or Chat you sent. |
| ■ | Filled square (received) | You have an unopened Snap (red or purple) or an unread Chat (blue). |
| □ | Hollow square (viewed) | You have viewed the Snap or Chat a friend sent you. |
| ⇄ | Two crossed arrows (screenshot) | Someone took a screenshot of your Snap or Chat. |
| ↻ | Circular arrow (replay) | Your friend replayed the Snap you sent. |
| ◌ | Grey pending icon | Pending: the person may not have accepted your friend request, or the Snap or Chat may have expired. |
Green Dot and Notification Symbols
| Symbol | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 🟢 | Green dot on an avatar | That friend has been active on Snapchat recently. It doesn’t mean they are online right now, and anyone can turn it off. |
| ⏰ | “Time Sensitive” notification | An iPhone label for notifications allowed to break through Focus or Do Not Disturb. It’s an iOS setting, not a message from your friend. |
Common Snapchat Slang
| Symbol | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| SB | SB | Snap back: reply to my Snap. |
| WYLL | WYLL | What you look like? A request to see a selfie. |
| NFS | NFS | Usually “not for sale” or “no funny stuff”. The meaning depends on context. |
| AFK | AFK | Away from keyboard: not available right now. |
| WYD | WYD | What (are) you doing? |
| HMU | HMU | Hit me up: message or call me. |
| NGL | NGL | Not gonna lie. |
| IYKYK | IYKYK | If you know, you know: an inside joke. |
| OOMF | OOMF | One of my followers (or friends). |
| TTYL | TTYL | Talk to you later. |
Slang isn’t defined by Snapchat. These are the most common meanings, and context can change them.
How to Turn Off the Green Dot on Snapchat
- Tap the gear icon on your Profile to open Settings.
- Under App & Privacy, tap My Privacy & Data.
- Under Privacy Choices, tap Activity Indicator and switch it off.
Friends will no longer see a green dot on your avatar. Curious what the planets on Friendship Profiles mean? Try the Snapchat Planets Decoder.
How to use Snapchat Symbols & Slang Decoder
- Search or pick a category. Type what you see (“green dot”, “yellow heart”, “WYLL”) or filter by Friend Emojis, Chat Icons, Status & Notifications or Slang.
- Read the meaning. Each result shows what the symbol means and whether it comes from Snapchat itself, your phone, or common slang.
- Check the full tables below. Every symbol is also listed in the tables on this page, grouped by category.
Guide updated .
Good to Know
Emojis change on their own
Friend emojis update as Snapping habits change. Losing one isn’t a message from your friend.
Green dot ≠ online now
It means “active recently”, and some friends switch it off entirely.
Colour tells the type
In Chat, red is a Snap without audio, purple is a Snap with audio, and blue is a text Chat.
Slang depends on context
Terms like NFS have more than one meaning. If unsure, just ask.
FAQ
What does the green dot mean on Snapchat?
Snapchat says a green dot on a friend’s avatar means they have been active on Snapchat recently. It doesn’t mean they are online at this exact moment, and anyone can turn it off in Settings > My Privacy & Data > Activity Indicator.
What does the yellow heart mean on Snapchat?
You and that friend are each other’s #1 Best Friend right now. After two weeks it becomes a red heart, and after two months pink hearts.
What does “Time Sensitive” mean on Snapchat?
It’s an iPhone notification label. iOS lets Time Sensitive notifications break through Focus and Do Not Disturb. It doesn’t mean the Snap expires sooner. You can change it in iPhone Settings > Notifications > Snapchat.
What does the grey icon or X next to a name mean?
Snapchat says a grey pending icon can mean the person hasn’t accepted your friend request, or that a Snap or Chat is pending and may have expired.
Can Snapchat Support restore my lost friend emojis?
No. Snapchat says friend emojis change automatically with how you Snap and Chat, and Support can’t add, restore or replace them.
Sources and further reading
Wondering what your friend’s planet means?
Decode Snapchat+ Best Friends planets from Mercury (#1) to Neptune (#8).