What Is the Shrug Emoji Text?
You’ve probably seen this little guy before: ¯_(ツ)_/¯. It’s the classic shrug emoji text—and it perfectly captures those moments when you just… don’t know. Or don’t care. Or maybe both.
This quirky symbol has been floating around the internet for years. It’s not your typical emoji, but it’s full of personality. Whether you’re texting a friend, dropping a sarcastic comment online, or reacting to a confusing situation, this text shrug is a fun way to express yourself.
What Is the Shrug Emoji Text, Really?
The shrug emoji text is a type of text-based emoticon made entirely out of characters on your keyboard. It’s an example of ASCII art—a kind of art made with text symbols. And even though there’s now a regular shrug emoji 🤷, a lot of people still love using the old-school version.
Here’s how it looks:
¯_(ツ)_/¯
It’s basically a little person lifting their arms in a shrug. That “ツ” in the middle? It’s a Japanese character that gives the face some personality.
What Does It Mean?
When you type out ¯_(ツ)_/¯, you’re usually saying:
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“I don’t know.”
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“It doesn’t really matter.”
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“Whatever.”
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“Who cares?”
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“That’s life.”
It’s a chill, nonchalant way to say you’re not stressing about it. It can even be funny, sarcastic, or ironic—depending on the mood of the conversation.
How to Type the Shrug Emoji Text
Typing this thing out manually is kind of a pain. So most people just copy and paste it. Here’s the full version you can use:
¯_(ツ)_/¯ ← Just copy this!
But if you’re tired of copy-pasting every time, you can set up a shortcut:
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iPhone: Go to Settings → General → Keyboard → Text Replacement
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Android: Settings → Language & Input → Personal Dictionary
Add the shrug emoji text and assign a shortcut like “shruggie” or “shrugme.” Then, every time you type that word, your phone will auto-replace it with the shrug emoji.
Why People Still Love It in 2025
Even with modern emoji keyboards, the shrug emoji text hasn’t lost its charm. It feels more expressive and personal. It’s got a bit of internet culture behind it, too—something nostalgic and fun.
It’s also super useful when you’re chatting in places that don’t support regular emojis (like some forums or apps).
Looking for faster ways to type in general? You might want to read about how to turn on voice to text on Android. Speaking your messages can save a ton of time—especially when typing out things like this shrug emoji.
Where You Can Use It
You can use the shrug emoji text anywhere you’d normally use a reaction or emoji:
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In group chats with friends
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On social media (Twitter/X, Instagram captions, Reddit)
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In comment sections
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Even in light-hearted work messages
Just make sure the vibe is casual, and you’re good to go.
More Like This: Other Fun Emoticons
Love the shrug? Here are some others you might enjoy:
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(╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻ – The table flip
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( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) – The classic Lenny face
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(☞ﾟヮﾟ)☞ – The “Hey, you!” face
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ಠ_ಠ – The “I’m not impressed” look
They all bring some old-school flavor to modern conversations.
Keep Things Clean on Your Keyboard
Got too many stickers or random emoji packs cluttering up your phone? It might be time for a little spring-cleaning. Here’s a helpful guide on how to delete stickers on iPhone so you can get back to a tidy typing experience.
A clean setup makes it easier to drop in gems like the shrug emoji whenever you want.
Final Thoughts
The shrug emoji text is more than just a jumble of symbols—it’s a whole mood. Whether you’re brushing off a situation, being playful, or simply don’t know what to say, ¯_(ツ)_/¯ gets the point across in a fun and clever way.
Next time words fail you, let the shrug emoji do the talking.