What Does the 💯 100 Emoji Mean?

Co-authored by Imad Jbara and Eric McClure

Last Updated: March 4, 2022 References

Curious about what the 💯 emoji means? The 100 emoji is versatile, easy to use, and extremely common. In this article, we’ll break down what the emoji represents, how it’s commonly used, and what you might send back when someone texts you a 💯emoji.

Section 1 of 3:

What does the 💯 emoji mean?

1
It means something is completely real and authentic. There’s a popular adage “keep it 100,” which is an evolution of “keep it real.” This is the most typical meaning of a 💯 emoji. It indicates authenticity, sincerity, and “realness.”^{[1]
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2
It signals general approval or acceptance. The 💯 emoji can also be used in place of “I agree 100%.” There are a bunch of different variations of this, but all of them are generally good. If someone sends you a 💯 after you’ve asked them a question, this is their way of saying “yes.”

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It was originally designed to look like a grade on schoolwork. The 💯 emoji is supposed to resemble a grade on a test or piece of homework. In Japan (where emojis were invented), it’s common for teachers to use a red “100” stamp when students ace an exam. The emoji is supposed to represent that.^{[2]
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Section 2 of 3:

How do you use the 💯 emoji?

1
Use it to compliment someone for being true to themselves. If a friend or family member makes a tough decision, you could send this emoji to tell them that you recognize they’re staying true to who they are. Similarly, you might also send a lone 💯 if someone does something that they’re known for.^{[3]
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- “Hey! I heard you quit your job to start your own business! Congrats! 💯”
- If someone breaks up with their partner because they’d been treated poorly, you might say, “I know it’s hard right now, but I’m proud of you 💯”
- You can send multiple 💯 emojis to really emphasize it, like, “I see you! 💯 💯 💯”
2
Agree with someone wholeheartedly with this emoji. If someone states an opinion that you agree with, the 💯 is a quick way of saying, “I totally agree.” You don’t even need to include any words in your response. The sole, “💯” will stand on its own.^{[4]
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3
Use a 💯 instead of “yes” to answer a leading question. If someone asks you a yes or no question, a sole 💯 will indicate “yes.” You can also use it to confirm a question where someone is presuming an answer, like “You’re going to the dance next weekend, right?”^{[5]
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- Any kind of question that requires elaboration or explanation won’t work with the 💯.
- For example, if someone asks you, “I’m going to pick up food. Want me to bring you a sandwich?” a 💯 will communicate, “Yeah, I’ll take a sandwich.”
4
Express pride by putting a 💯 after an accomplishment. The 💯 can also be used like the 💪 emoji to signal that you’re proud of something. If you’re letting someone know you got a promotion, or you finally landed a date with your crush, you might throw a 💯 at the end to really emphasize how happy you are.
- “Finally got my driver’s license!!💯”
- “I’m totally crushing it at work today💯”
- “Guess who just landed tickets to the Drake concert 💯”
5
Send a 💯 to encourage, motivate, or support someone. This particular usage is popular among entrepreneurs, hustlers, and all-around industrious people. If you want to encourage someone to do their best, throw a 💯 at the end of your statement to punctuate it with some upbeat energy.^{[6]
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- “You got this! 💯”
- “Good luck on the test today! 💯”
- “Stay on the grind 💯”
6
Swap out “100” for the 💯 emoji and use it as a number. People will occasionally use the 100 emoji instead of the number 100. If you aced a test and someone asks you how you did, you can send them a lone 💯 to tell them that you crushed it.

Section 3 of 3:

How to Respond to a 100 Emoji

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Send a 💯 emoji back to signal agreement. If someone sent you a note about how they accomplished something, they’re motivated, or they’re looking forward to something and they included a 💯 at the end, you can send a 💯 back. They’ll understand that you’re agreeing with them.^{[7]
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Thank them for the support if they’re being encouraging. If this emoji was sent as a supportive bit of reassurance or motivation, tell them you appreciate it. A simple “Thanks!” will suffice. If the 💯 came at the end of a longer note of encouragement, you can elaborate a bit.
3
Reply with a 😤, 💪, 🔥, or 😂 if they’re being ironic. There are a lot of memes out there surrounding the 💯 emoji, usually surrounding the “grindset” culture of people who work way too hard and pretend to “keep it real” when they’re not actually being authentic. If you want in on the joke, the 😤, 💪, 🔥, and 😂 emojis are all similarly meme-able.^{[8]
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