How to Create a Group Chat in Slack
Learn how to start a group direct message (group DM) in Slack to chat with multiple people at once. Perfect for quick discussions without creating a full channel.
Quick Answer
To create a group chat in Slack: Click the compose button (pencil icon) next to Direct messages in the sidebar, type the names of the people you want to add, and send a message. You can also press Ctrl+Shift+K (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+K (Mac) to quickly start a new message.
Create a Group Chat on Desktop & Web
The desktop app and web version of Slack have the same interface for creating group DMs.
Open Slack
Open the Slack desktop app or go to slack.com and sign in to your workspace.
Click the compose button
Look for the Direct messages section in the left sidebar. Click the + or pencil icon next to it. Alternatively, use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+K (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+K (Mac).
Add people to the group
In the "To:" field, start typing the names of the people you want to add. Click on each name to select them. You can add up to 8 other people (9 total including yourself).
Send a message
Type your message in the message field and press Enter to send. The group DM is now created and will appear in your Direct messages section.
Create a Group Chat on Mobile (iOS & Android)
The Slack mobile app makes it easy to start group conversations on the go.
Open the Slack app
Launch the Slack app on your iPhone, iPad, or Android device.
Tap the compose button
Tap the pencil icon or + button in the bottom right corner of the screen to start a new message.
Select multiple people
Tap New message or Direct message. In the search field, type names and tap to select multiple people. Selected names appear as chips at the top.
Start chatting
Once you have selected all the people, tap Go or Next, then type your message and tap send.
Managing Group Chats
Here is how to manage your group DMs after creating them:
Add More People
You cannot add people to an existing group DM. Instead, create a new group DM with all the people you want included. The old conversation will remain separate.
Remove Someone
You cannot remove someone from a group DM. The workaround is to create a new group DM without that person. Everyone can still see the original conversation.
Leave a Group DM
You cannot leave a group DM. However, you can mute it to stop notifications, or star it to keep it accessible. Right-click (desktop) or long-press (mobile) the conversation and select your preference.
Convert to a Private Channel
If your group DM becomes a long-term discussion, consider creating a private channel instead. Channels can be named, have topics, and support more members. You will need to manually recreate the conversation in the new channel.
Find a Group DM
Group DMs appear in the Direct messages section of your sidebar. Use Ctrl+K or Cmd+K to search for conversations by typing any participant's name.
Group DM vs Channel: When to Use Each
Group DMs and channels serve different purposes. Here is how to choose:
| Feature | Group DM | Channel |
|---|---|---|
| Max members | 9 people | Unlimited |
| Custom name | No | Yes |
| Searchable by others | No | Yes (public channels) |
| Add/remove members | No | Yes |
| Topic/description | No | Yes |
| Best for | Quick, informal chats | Ongoing, organized discussions |
Rule of thumb: Use group DMs for quick, one-off conversations. Use channels for recurring topics, project discussions, or when you need to add/remove members over time.
Pro Tips for Slack Group Chats
Use keyboard shortcuts
Press Ctrl+Shift+K (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+K (Mac) to quickly start a new DM or group DM from anywhere in Slack.
Star important group DMs
Right-click a group DM and select Star conversation to keep it at the top of your sidebar for easy access.
Mute noisy conversations
If a group DM is too active, right-click and select Mute conversation. You will still receive messages but will not get notifications.
Use @here and @channel sparingly
In group DMs, typing a person's name with @ notifies them specifically. Use this instead of notifying everyone for every message.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people can be in a Slack group DM?
A Slack group DM can include up to 9 people total (you plus 8 others). If you need more participants, create a private channel instead.
Can I name a group chat in Slack?
No, standard group DMs cannot be given a custom name. The conversation is identified by the names of the participants. If you need a named conversation, create a private channel instead.
Can I remove someone from a Slack group DM?
No, you cannot remove someone from an existing group DM. The only workaround is to create a new group DM without that person. The original group DM will remain visible to everyone who was part of it.
Can I delete a group DM?
You cannot delete a group DM entirely. You can close or hide it from your sidebar, but the conversation history remains accessible to all participants. Workspace admins may have retention policies that automatically delete old messages.
Are group DMs private?
Yes, group DMs are private. Only the people in the conversation can see the messages. Workspace admins may be able to export messages depending on your organization's settings and plan.
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