LUL is a Twitch emote used to express laughter. It is often used when something genuinely funny happens, and is one of the most widely recognized reaction emotes on the platform.
The image features the late John “TotalBiscuit” Bain laughing mid-sentence. The expression is open-mouthed and animated, making it perfect for reacting to unexpected or ridiculous moments.
What Is the LUL Emote?
LUL is a global Twitch emote that shows TotalBiscuit laughing. It is used in chat to represent real laughter in response to a joke, fail, or absurd comment.
LUL works as a fast and visual way to say “That was hilarious.”
You will see LUL used when:
- A streamer tells a great joke or has a funny reaction
- Something awkward or unexpected happens on screen
- Chat wants to laugh at or with the streamer
LUL can be used on its own or spammed in large chains when the moment is especially funny.
Origin of the LUL Emote
The original LUL emote came from a photograph of John “TotalBiscuit” Bain taken at MLG Anaheim in 2013. It became a popular reaction image across Reddit and Twitch before being officially added as a global emote.
For a time, the original version of the image was removed due to DMCA issues, but Twitch later re-uploaded it with a new filename, and it has remained a staple emote ever since.
LUL became the go-to way to express genuine laughter in Twitch culture and helped shape how chat responds to humor.
How LUL Is Used on Twitch
LUL is used to laugh along with the stream. It can be used in reaction to gameplay fails, bad jokes, awkward silences, or meme-worthy moments.
Examples:
Streamer misreads chat and says something totally wrong → Chat: LUL LUL LUL
A jump scare gets them unexpectedly → Instant LUL spam
It is not sarcastic. It is meant as real, open laughter from chat.
Similar Emotes to LUL
LUL is part of a group of humor-focused emotes used across Twitch. If you enjoy LUL, these are often used alongside it:
KEKW – Represents uncontrollable or explosive laughter
Jebaited – Used when someone falls for a trick or setup
Pepega – Mocking silly or broken logic
Kappa – Used to show sarcasm or irony
Explore all emotes in the Twitch Emote Glossary
How to Use LUL on Your Stream
LUL is available as a global Twitch emote. No installation is needed. Any viewer can type LUL in chat and it will appear automatically.
LUL in Twitch Culture
LUL has become one of the core building blocks of Twitch chat culture. It allows viewers to join in shared moments of humor and lets streamers know when something truly landed with the audience.
It is not just used in small chats. LUL can be seen during massive esports events, Twitch Rivals matches, or casual IRL streams. It is flexible, familiar, and instantly understood by most viewers.
Over time, it has evolved alongside other humor-based emotes but still remains one of the most consistently used reactions on the platform.
FAQs
What does LUL mean on Twitch?
LUL is used to show laughter in chat. It is one of the most common Twitch emotes for reacting to funny moments.
Who is the person in the LUL emote?
The face belongs to the late John “TotalBiscuit” Bain, a popular gaming commentator and critic.
Is LUL a built-in Twitch emote?
Yes. LUL is a global Twitch emote available by default in all chat channels.
Final Thoughts
LUL is a simple and effective way for Twitch chat to express laughter. It is fast, recognizable, and works across any type of stream.
If you want to explore more Twitch emotes like this one, visit our Twitch Emote Meaning Guide. You can also improve the look of your channel with our stream overlay collection.
