The Lenny Face is a popular text-based emoticon used in messaging, forums, and social media to convey mischief, sarcasm, or suggestiveness. Recognizable by its signature expression: ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡° ), this quirky emoticon has become a favorite way to add personality to online conversations. However, typing the Lenny Face manually isn’t always straightforward, especially if you’re not familiar with Unicode characters or keyboard shortcuts. This guide will explain how to type the Lenny Face on different devices, platforms, and operating systems so you can use it whenever the moment calls for a little extra flair.
What is the Lenny Face?
The Lenny Face is a combination of Unicode characters that creates an expressive emoticon. It typically looks like this:
( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡° )
It’s often used humorously in chat rooms, memes, or as a reaction in gaming or casual conversation. Sometimes referred to as a ‘degenerate’ or ‘lewd’ face, it has many variations and interpretations depending on context, but its original form remains the most widely recognized.
Typing the Lenny Face Manually
Understanding the Characters
To type the standard Lenny Face manually, you need to input several Unicode characters. Here’s the breakdown:
- Left parenthesis: (
- Left raised eyebrow: ͡°
- Smiling mouth: ͜ʖ
- Right raised eyebrow: ͡°
- Right parenthesis: )
These characters aren’t found on most standard keyboards, so they require special input methods. Let’s explore how to type or copy them based on your device and operating system.
How to Type Lenny Face on Windows
Using Character Map
Windows includes a tool called Character Map that lets you search and copy special characters:
- PressWindows + Rto open the Run dialog.
- Typecharmapand press Enter.
- In the Character Map, find the special characters you need: ͡ (U+0361), ° (U+00B0), ʖ (U+0296).
- Copy and paste them together to form the Lenny Face.
Using Alt Codes (Limited)
Alt codes can be used for some characters like the degree symbol:
- HoldAltand type0176on the numeric keypad to type °
Unfortunately, many parts of the Lenny Face don’t have Alt code equivalents and need to be copied from other sources or created using Unicode input tools.
How to Type Lenny Face on macOS
Using Character Viewer
Mac users can access special characters using the Character Viewer:
- PressControl + Command + Spaceto open the emoji and character panel.
- Search for symbols like modifier letter, degree, or Latin letter to find pieces of the Lenny Face.
- Click to insert them into your text editor or browser.
Once you’ve built the face, copy it for future use.
How to Type Lenny Face on Linux
On Linux systems, especially those using GNOME or KDE environments, you can use Unicode input:
- PressCtrl + Shift + U, then type the Unicode number (e.g., 0361 for ͡) and press Enter.
Repeat for each character. It takes a little time, but it’s fully customizable and works across most Linux text fields.
How to Type Lenny Face on Mobile Devices
On Android
Typing the Lenny Face on Android can be tricky without third-party tools:
- Use the default keyboard and long-press on characters like o or – to find alternatives.
- Install a third-party keyboard such as Gboard or SwiftKey that supports clipboard history or shortcuts.
- Save the full Lenny Face as a custom text shortcut (e.g., type lenny to auto-expand to ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡° )).
On iPhone (iOS)
iPhone users can create text replacements to insert the Lenny Face quickly:
- Go toSettings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement.
- Tap the plus icon (+).
- In Phrase, paste ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡° ).
- In Shortcut, type something like lenny.
- Tap Save. Now whenever you type lenny, your iPhone will replace it with the Lenny Face.
Copying and Pasting the Lenny Face
Since manually typing the Lenny Face is time-consuming, the easiest method is to copy and paste it from a saved source. Once you have it, you can store it in:
- Your notes app
- A messaging template
- Email signatures or clipboard managers
Here’s the full face to copy now:( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡° )
Creating Lenny Face Variations
There are dozens of variations based on the original Lenny Face, each with its own twist. Some add arms, hands, or other features:
- ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)╭∩╮ with a raised finger
- (ง ͠° ͟ل͜ ͡°)ง fighting pose
- ( ͡~ ͜ʖ ͡°) flirty expression
- ( ͡o ͜ʖ ͡o) surprised look
You can build your own custom Lenny Faces by mixing and matching Unicode characters creatively.
Why Lenny Face Remains Popular
The Lenny Face became an internet favorite because it’s funny, ambiguous, and perfectly expressive without using actual emojis. Its unusual characters make it stand out, and it’s been used in memes, Twitch chats, forums, Reddit posts, and group chats for years. Typing or pasting it into a conversation instantly adds a layer of humor or sarcasm that’s hard to match with plain text.
Learning how to type the Lenny Face may take a little effort at first, especially if you try to construct it manually using Unicode characters. However, once you’ve saved it or created a shortcut on your device, you’ll have a quick and fun way to enhance any digital conversation. Whether you’re messaging friends or crafting content online, ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡° ) brings charm and humor wherever it goes. Keep it handy and use it wisely for maximum effect.