Notion lets you add emoji or custom images as page icons to visually organize your workspace. But until recently, each new page started with a blank icon area, forcing you to manually select one every time. This article explains how to set a default icon that applies to all new pages created in your workspace. You will learn the exact steps to configure this setting and understand its limitations.
Key Takeaways: Default Page Icons in Notion Workspace Settings
- Settings & Members > Settings > Default Page Icon: Choose an emoji or image that will appear on every new page automatically.
- Existing pages are not affected: The default icon only applies to pages created after the setting is changed.
- Workspace-level control: Only workspace owners and admins can change the default icon for all members.
What the Workspace Default Page Icon Feature Does
The default page icon is a workspace-wide setting that defines which emoji or custom image appears on every new page created by any member. When a user creates a page, Notion automatically populates the icon area with the selected default. This removes the need to manually add an icon each time and ensures brand consistency across the workspace.
Before using this feature, you must have owner or admin permissions in the workspace. The setting is located under workspace settings, not under individual user preferences. The default icon can be an emoji from the standard picker or a custom image URL. Notion does not support uploading images directly for the default icon; you must provide a public URL for custom images.
Steps to Set the Default Page Icon for Your Workspace
- Open Workspace Settings
Click the gear icon in the left sidebar to open Settings & Members. If you are on a mobile device, tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner and select Settings. - Navigate to Workspace Settings
In the left panel of Settings & Members, select Settings. This section contains general workspace options including the default icon setting. - Locate the Default Page Icon Option
Scroll down to the Page Defaults section. The first option is Default Page Icon. Click the current icon or the placeholder area to open the icon picker. - Choose an Emoji or Custom Image
In the icon picker, you can select any emoji from the grid. To use a custom image, click the Upload Image tab and paste a public image URL. Notion supports PNG, JPG, GIF, and SVG formats. The image will be automatically cropped to a square. - Apply the Change
After selecting the icon, click anywhere outside the picker. The change is saved immediately. Any new page created from this point forward will display the chosen default icon.
Things to Avoid When Configuring Default Page Icons
Default Icon Does Not Apply to Existing Pages
The default icon setting only affects pages created after the change is made. Existing pages retain their current icons, whether they were manually set or left blank. To update existing pages, you must manually change each page icon or use a bulk action like selecting all pages and applying an icon from the page menu.
Custom Images Require a Public URL
Notion does not allow direct file uploads for the default icon. You must provide a URL that is publicly accessible. If the image is hosted on a private server or requires authentication, it will not appear. Use a service like Imgur, Dropbox public link, or your own web server to host the image.
Only Owners and Admins Can Change This Setting
Workspace members with editor or guest roles cannot modify the default page icon. If you do not see the Default Page Icon option in Settings, you lack the required permissions. Contact a workspace owner or admin to request the change.
Default Page Icon Behavior: No Icon vs Custom Icon vs Emoji
| Item | No Default Icon | Emoji Default | Custom Image Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| New page appearance | Empty icon area with a plus sign | Selected emoji appears automatically | Custom image appears automatically |
| Setup time per page | User must manually add an icon | Zero effort after workspace setting | Zero effort after workspace setting |
| Brand consistency | No enforced standard | Consistent emoji across workspace | Consistent branded image across workspace |
| File size impact | None | None | Image is cached by Notion servers |
The default page icon feature is a simple way to enforce visual consistency across your workspace. By setting a single emoji or custom image, you eliminate the manual step of adding icons to new pages. Remember that this setting only applies to future pages, so you may want to update existing pages separately if consistency is critical. For teams using Notion as a company wiki or knowledge base, a branded default icon reinforces identity and helps users quickly identify official pages.