Animated Emoji Stickers for Telegram: Formats & Specs

Telegram supports static stickers, animated stickers, video stickers, and custom emoji. These asset types use different formats and requirements: static images use PNG or WebP, vector animations use TGS, and video stickers use WEBM. This guide summarizes Telegram's published requirements and explains how to prepare Forgemoji artwork without treating a GIF or WebP animation as a ready-to-upload Telegram sticker.

The Three Types of Telegram Stickers

Telegram's official sticker documentation describes three sticker formats, each with different technical requirements and use cases.

TGS is Telegram's Lottie-based format for vector animations. Telegram's published requirements include a 512×512 canvas, a loop no longer than 3 seconds, 60 FPS, and a final file no larger than 64 KB. See the official documentation for the full authoring requirements.

Video stickers use WEBM encoded with VP9 and must have no audio. A compatible file must also meet Telegram’s published dimensions, frame-rate, duration, and 256 KB size requirements; not every WEBM export is upload-ready.

Custom Emoji vs. Sticker Packs: What's the Difference?

This is where most people get confused. Telegram has two separate concepts that are easy to conflate.

Stickers are sent as standalone items, while custom emoji appear inline in text. They have different file requirements and access rules, so use Telegram’s documentation for the asset type you intend to publish.

Telegram says anyone can create custom emoji, while adding and using custom emoji sets is currently a Telegram Premium feature. Check the official documentation for the current workflow and requirements.

How to Create and Upload a Static Sticker Pack

Telegram's official documentation points creators to its built-in Sticker Editor and the @Stickers mini app or bot for creating and managing packs.

1. 1.Open Telegram and start a chat with @Stickers
2. 2.Send /newpack to begin creating a new sticker pack
3. 3.Give your pack a name when prompted
4. 4.Prepare PNG or WebP images with one side exactly 512px and the other side 512px or smaller, as specified by Telegram
5. 5.After each image, send the emoji that best represents that sticker
6. 6.Continue adding stickers and follow any pack limits shown in the current @Stickers flow
7. 7.Send /publish when all stickers are uploaded
8. 8.Give your pack a short URL-safe name—this becomes its link (t.me/addstickers/your_pack_name)
9. 9.Follow the prompts to publish and share your pack

Preparing Telegram Sticker Artwork with Forgemoji

Forgemoji exports transparent 256×256 PNG artwork and GIF/WebP animations. These are source assets, not Telegram-native animated sticker files. Telegram lists PNG or WebP for static images, TGS for vector animation, and WEBM for video stickers. Resize or convert the source with suitable tools, then validate the result through the current @Stickers workflow.

1. 1.Create source artwork in Forgemoji and download the PNG or GIF/WebP animation you want to use
2. 2.For a static sticker, resize the image so one side is exactly 512px and the other is 512px or smaller, then export PNG or WebP
3. 3.For an animated sticker, convert the source to TGS or WEBM using a compatible tool; follow Telegram’s published format and encoding requirements
4. 4.Use @Stickers to create or update the pack, and follow its current validation prompts

Forgemoji does not export Telegram-native TGS or WEBM sticker files. The resize or conversion step is separate; check the final file against Telegram’s current specifications before publishing.

Tips for Great Telegram Stickers

• •Simple, bold designs read best—complex details are lost even at sticker display sizes
• •Verify full transparency before uploading: partially-transparent edges create visible artifacts
• •For sticker packs, maintain consistent style and color palette across all stickers so the pack feels cohesive
• •Animate conservatively for stickers—a subtle bounce or float works better at large display sizes than an aggressive spin
• •Keep animations within Telegram’s published duration limit and preview the finished loop in a real conversation
• •Test your stickers in an actual Telegram conversation before publishing the pack

Frequently asked questions

Telegram sticker packs are a different format from Discord emoji and Slack emoji. These are the questions sticker pack creators ask most often.

Which file formats does Telegram accept for stickers?

Telegram documents PNG or WebP for static stickers, TGS for vector animations, and WEBM encoded with VP9 for video stickers. Its published limits include 64 KB for TGS and 256 KB for WEBM; use the official guide for dimensions, duration, and other requirements.

Can I upload GIF or animated WebP stickers directly?

Telegram’s sticker documentation does not list GIF or animated WebP as sticker-pack upload formats. Forgemoji GIF/WebP animations are source assets; convert them to a supported TGS or WEBM file and validate the result with @Stickers.

What is the difference between a Telegram sticker and a Telegram emoji?

Stickers are sent as standalone items; custom emoji appear inline in text. Their formats, dimensions, and access rules differ. Telegram’s current documentation explains the requirements and notes that adding and using custom emoji sets is a Telegram Premium feature.

How many stickers can I have in a pack?

Telegram’s public sticker guide directs creators to @Stickers for creating and managing packs but does not list a universal pack count here. Follow the current limit shown in the @Stickers workflow.

Do Telegram stickers work in group chats?

Yes. Stickers are first-class message content on Telegram and work in 1-on-1, group, channel, and reply contexts. They do not work in Telegram comments on YouTube or other platforms.

Common pitfalls

• •Uploading a static PNG or WebP while expecting animation—static files remain static; use TGS or WEBM for animation
• •Assuming any WEBM export is ready to upload—check the codec, dimensions, duration, frame rate, audio, and size requirements
• •Treating a GIF or animated WebP export as a Telegram-native sticker file—convert it to a supported format first

Extra reading

Telegram does not publish a universal benchmark for sticker usage or pack popularity that applies to every audience. In practice, packs are easier to use when they have a clear theme, consistent artwork, and filenames that make them easy to find. Seasonal themes such as Christmas, Halloween, and New Year can be useful, but they should not replace a coherent everyday set.

Related guides

• •Slack custom emoji size guide 2026 — uploading to Slack
• •How to make Discord emoji — for the Discord side of emoji
• •How new emojis get their names — Unicode emoji approval

Final note

Choose a recognizable theme, keep the artwork consistent, and check that each sticker reads clearly at its displayed size. These are practical design suggestions, not guarantees of search placement; use the current @Stickers tools and your pack statistics to understand how your audience responds.