Illustration of a variety of emojis
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Math,

We Love Emojis

Learn some cool number facts behind these tiny symbols!

By Gayoung Lee
From the May/June 2025 Issue

Learning Objective: Students will analyze data and information about emojis.

Key Focus Area: Measurement and Data,
Standards
  • NGSS
    Core Idea: ETS1.A, ETS1.B, ETS1.C, ETS2.B
  • CCSS
    Reading: RI.7; Writing: W.8; Speaking & Listening: SL.6; Math: 3.MD.B.3
  • TEKS
    Science: 3.2B, 4.2B, 5.2B, 6.2B; ELA: 3.9D, 4.9D, 5.9D, 6.8D

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From smiley faces to burgers to penguins, emojis put a fun, colorful spin on communication. Here are some cool number facts behind these tiny pictures and symbols!

Top 5 Emojis

A 2022 survey asked 5,000 emoji users in the U.S. to pick their favorite emojis.

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#1

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#2

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#3

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#4

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#5

What’s your favorite emoji? Is it on this list?

More and More Emojis!

Source: Unicode

Each year, new emojis appear on devices when they are added to the Unicode Standard. This standard is a shared system of characters that all devices and programs use.

Between which two years did the number of emojis increase the most?

Types of Emojis

Source: Unicode
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There were a total of 3,790 emojis at the end of 2024. Here’s the breakdown by category.

60%: People and parts of the body
7%: Flags
7%: Objects
6%: Symbols
6%: Travel and places
4%: Smileys and emoticons
4%: Animals and nature
3%: Food and drink
3%: Other

Why do you think most emojis represent people and parts of the human body?

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