Discord servers assign every member a default role, usually named @everyone. This role sits at the bottom of the role list and cannot be moved. If you want a custom role to appear above it, you must understand how role hierarchy works. This article explains the role ordering system and shows you how to position a role above the @everyone role. You will also learn common mistakes that prevent roles from appearing where you want them.
Key Takeaways: Positioning Roles Above @everyone in Discord
- Server Settings > Roles > drag role above @everyone: The only way to make a role appear above the default role.
- Role hierarchy order: Roles listed higher in the role list have more permissions and appear above roles listed lower, including @everyone.
- @everyone role is locked: You cannot move, delete, or change the position of the @everyone role itself.
How Discord Role Hierarchy Works
Every Discord server has a role called @everyone. This role is created automatically and cannot be removed. All new members receive this role by default. The @everyone role always appears at the bottom of the role list in Server Settings. You cannot drag it higher or change its position.
The order of roles in the role list determines their hierarchy. A role that appears higher in the list has more authority than a role below it. This hierarchy affects permission inheritance, moderation actions, and how roles appear in the member list sidebar. If you create a custom role, it is initially placed just above @everyone. However, you can move it to any position above @everyone, but never below it.
To make a role appear above @everyone, you must physically drag it to a position higher than @everyone in the role list. There is no other setting or permission that changes this behavior. The @everyone role cannot be hidden, placed at the top, or given a different name. Its position is fixed at the bottom.
Steps to Move a Role Above @everyone
Follow these steps to position a custom role above the default @everyone role. You need the Manage Roles permission on the server. Only server admins and users with this permission can change role positions.
- Open Server Settings
Open Discord and select your server from the left sidebar. Click the server name at the top left of the channel list. From the drop-down menu, choose Server Settings. - Go to the Roles tab
In the left navigation panel of Server Settings, click Roles. You will see a list of all roles on the server. The @everyone role is always at the bottom. - Locate the role you want to move
Find the custom role you want to appear above @everyone. If you have not created it yet, click Create Role, give it a name and permissions, then click Save Changes. - Drag the role above @everyone
Click and hold the six-dot handle icon to the left of the role name. Drag the role upward until it is positioned above the @everyone role. A gray horizontal line shows where the role will be placed. Release the mouse button to drop the role in its new position. - Save your changes
Discord saves role order changes automatically. You do not need to click a separate save button. The role now appears above @everyone in the role list and in the member sidebar.
Common Mistakes and Limitations
Role still appears below @everyone after dragging
This usually happens when you do not drag the role far enough. The role must be placed above the @everyone entry in the list. If you drop it directly on top of @everyone, it may snap back to its original position. Drag the role at least one full row above @everyone and watch for the gray line to confirm the new position.
Cannot move @everyone role
The @everyone role is locked by Discord. You cannot drag it, delete it, or change its position. The only way to make a role appear above @everyone is to move other roles above it. The @everyone role always stays at the bottom of the list.
Role disappears from member list after moving
Moving a role above @everyone does not remove it from the member list. If a role disappears, it may have been accidentally deleted or the member lost the role through permission changes. Check the role assignment in Server Settings > Roles > Manage Members for that role. Reassign the role if needed.
Role color does not show in chat
A role with a color may not display that color in chat if the role is below another role that also has a color. Discord uses the highest role in the hierarchy for color display. If you want the custom role color to appear, ensure it is the highest role with a color assigned to that member. Move it above any other colored roles.
Discord Role Hierarchy: @everyone vs Custom Roles
| Item | @everyone Role | Custom Role |
|---|---|---|
| Position in list | Always at the bottom | Can be placed anywhere above @everyone |
| Movable | No | Yes, by dragging |
| Deletable | No | Yes |
| Permission inheritance | Applies to all members | Applies only to assigned members |
| Color display | No default color | Can have a custom color |
You can now position any custom role above the @everyone role by dragging it in Server Settings > Roles. Remember that the @everyone role cannot be moved or removed. If you want a role to appear at the very top of the member list, create a new role and drag it above all other roles, including @everyone. For advanced server management, consider using role groups and permission templates to keep your role structure organized.