What Do Icons and Symbols Mean on Slack? Complete Guide

Slack is one of the most popular tools when it comes to team communication and productivity. But if you’re new to it, some of the icons and symbols on Slack might leave you scratching your head. Especially the status icons that appear near the profiles or the little checkmarks, pins, or status bubbles. In this guide, we will break down the meaning of each icon and symbol on Slack.

Table of Contents

Home Screen Icons Meaning

This is the main screen that will appear when you open Slack on your pc or smartphone. Let’s break down each icon symbol and icon inside this screen:

Right and Left Arrow Icon: Go back or forward in history (to the conversation you opened).
Clock Icon: Opens history tab.
Question Mark in a Circle Icon: Help menu for any queries regarding Slack.
Colored Dot Icon: Indicates an unread message.
Number in a Circle Icon: Number of unread conversations.
Three Horizontal Lines with Circles Icons: Opens the “manage sidebar” menu, where you can filter the sidebar, leave inactive channels, or create a sidebar (Paid).
Pencil with a Pad Icon: Start a new conversation.
Number in a Capsule Icon: Number of unread messages from that person.
Colored Dot with Profile Icon: Indicates that the person is active or online.
Circle with Profile Icon: Indicates that the person is inactive or offline.
Plus inside Circle Icon: Create a new message, channel, huddle, or more.

Chat Screen Icons Meaning

This is the screen where you converse with the people on Slack. Here’s what the icons and symbols mean on this screen:

Plus Icon: Opens options to add bookmarks, customize tabs, and more.
Headphone Icon: Start an audio or video-enabled conversation.
Down Arrow Icon: Options related to huddle.
Emoji with a Plus Icon: React with an emoji.
Chat Bubble Icon: Reply in thread.
Right Curved Arrow Icon: Forward message.
Three Vertical Dot Icon: Opens a menu with more options related to that conversation.
Bookmark Icon: Save for later.
Three Vertical Dot Icon: More actions for that particular message.
“B” Icon: Make/write text bold.
“I” Icon: Make/write text in italics style.
“S” with a Line Striking Through it Icon: Strikethrough with a line on your text.
Two Paper Clips Together Icon: Add the text as a link.
Three lines with Numbers Icon: Make/write text in a numbered list.
Three Lines with a Dot Icon: Make/write text in a bulleted list.
One Vertical Line with Three Horizontal Icon: Make/write text in Blockquote.
Angle Brackets with a Slash Icon: Make/write text in code form.
Angle Brackets with a Slash Inside a Square Icon: Add a code block.
Plus in a Circle Icon: Attach a file, text snippet, or more.
“aA” Icon: Hide/Unhide formatting.
Emoji Icon: Opens the Emojis section.
“@” Icon: To mention someone.
Video Camera Icon: To record a video.
Mic Icon: Record an audio clip.
Slash Inside a Square Icon: Adds a slash in the text box to run a shortcut.
Paper Plane Going Right Icon: Send the message.
Drop Down Arrow Icon: Schedule the typed message.

Shared Video Icons Meaning

Many icons don’t justify what they do in a video when shared in a group or a conversation. Let’s know the meaning of each icon:

Stacked Squares with a Diagonal Arrow Icon: Open that video in a new tab.
Diagonal Up and Down Arrow Icon: Expand the Video.
Triangle Icon: Play Video
Speaker with Curved Lines Icon: Control the volume of the video.
Number with “x” Icon: Control the playback speed.
“CC” Inside Square Box Icon: Turn on Captions.
Three Horizontal Lines Icon: View transcription of that video.

Activity Status Icons

You might have noticed different types of symbols or icons near the profiles of people. Let’s find out the meaning of all:

Green Dot with Sleepin “Z” Icon: The person is active but has paused their notifications.
Calendar Icon: The person is in a meeting.
Bus Icon: The person is commuting.
Sick Emoji Icon: The person is out sick.
Tree Icon: The person is vacationing,
Tree with House Icon: The person is working remotely.
Grey Dot with Sleepin “Z” Icon: The person has set themselves away and paused their notifications.

Channels Icons Meaning

You might have noticed a lock icon next to channels. Let’s find out the meaning of that icon:

Lock Icon: It is for private channels where members have to be invited to join.
Hoops (Two Circles) Icon: This is a shared channel icon. It appears when channels are shared across one or more workspaces within an enterprise grid, all owned by a single organization.
Double Diamond Shape Icon: Signifies a shared channel or direct message that is used to collaborate with people from other organizations in Slack.

That’s it, folks! Hopefully, you have a clearer idea of what each icon and symbol means on Slack. Stay tuned for more guides like this and check out our other guides below.