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What do the check marks mean on Facebook Messenger? How to decode the status of your message

Facebook Messenger
The check marks in Facebook Messenger change depending on the status of your message. Shutterstock
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One of the hallmarks of Facebook Messenger is the series of check marks that appear next to a message. These icons indicate what stage a message is in, such as if it's been sent, delivered, or read.

Below is an outline of what the check marks in Facebook Messenger mean.

Here's what the check marks mean on Facebook Messenger

  • Empty circle with a check mark: The message has been sent but not delivered to the recipient.
  • Filled circle with a check mark: The message has been delivered.
Facebook Messenger white circle with blue check mark icon.
The white circle with a blue check mark icon.  Kelly Laffey/Insider
  • Icon with the recipient's profile picture: The message has been read.  
Facebook Messenger with the Facebook profile picture icon showing beside a message.
This means the user has seen your message.  Kelly Laffey/Insider
  • Empty circle with no check mark: The message has not been sent. This is typically because you don't have any internet access when you try to send a message, the user has not logged into Facebook, or you've been blocked on Messenger

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