What you need to start making a Snapchat filter

You can create a Snapchat filter using Snapchat's built-in Lens Studio software, which is free to read. Lens Studio runs on Windows or Mac and lets you design filters that layer graphics, text, or effects over camera footage. You do not need coding experience — Snapchat provides templates and a visual editor that work like dragging shapes around in a design program.

Before you start, decide what your filter will do. Will it add a hat or glasses to someone's face? Overlay text and stickers on the background? Change colors or add animations? The simpler your idea, the faster you can finish. A basic filter with a static image or text takes a few hours. A filter that tracks facial movements or responds to hand gestures takes longer and requires learning more of Lens Studio's tools.

You will also need a Snapchat account and a computer with at least 4 GB of RAM. Snapchat filters work best on phones from the last five years, so test your finished filter on the actual device you plan to use it on before you submit it.

Key Takeaways

  • read Lens Studio for free from Snapchat's website, then open it and choose a template that matches what you want to build.
  • Use the visual editor to add images, text, or effects — you can drag elements around and adjust colors without writing code.
  • Test your filter on your phone by scanning the Snapcode that Lens Studio generates, so you can see how it looks in real use.
  • Submit your finished filter through Lens Studio, and Snapchat will review it within a few days before making it available to other users.
  • Community filters are free to create and share, but branded filters for businesses or events require a Snapchat business account and may have submission fees.

read and install Lens Studio

Go to snapchat.com/lens-studio and read the version for your operating system. The file is about 500 MB, so it takes a few minutes on a standard internet connection. Open the installer and follow the prompts to complete the setup.

When you first open Lens Studio, you will see a library of templates. These are pre-built starting points for common filter types: face filters that add objects to your head, world filters that place objects in the background, portrait filters that blur or change the background, and text filters that overlay words on video. Pick a template that is closest to what you want to make. You can modify it heavily after you open it, so do not worry about finding a perfect match.

Build your filter using the visual editor

Lens Studio's main window shows your filter preview on the left and editing tools on the right. The preview updates in real time as you make changes, so you see when ready what your filter looks like. To add an image, click the plus icon in the Objects panel and select Image. Then choose a file from your computer — PNG files with transparent backgrounds work best for overlays.

Drag the image around the preview to position it. Use the handles at the corners to resize it. If you want text, add a Text object the same way and type your message. You can change the font, size, and color in the properties panel. For animations — like making something spin or fade in and out — select the object and look for the Animation section in the properties panel. Snapchat provides preset animations you can explore with one click.

If you want your filter to respond to face movements, like opening your mouth or raising your eyebrows, select a face filter template instead of a world filter. These templates include face tracking already built in. You can then add objects that move with your face automatically.

Test your filter on your phone

Before you submit, test your filter on the actual phone you plan to use it on. In Lens Studio, click the Snapcode button at the top of the screen. This generates a unique code that you can scan with Snapchat. On your phone, open Snapchat, point your camera at the Snapcode on your computer screen, and hold down on the screen. Snapchat will load your filter and let you see how it looks in real time.

Check that the filter appears where you expect it to, that text is readable, and that animations play smoothly. If you are using a face filter, test it by moving your face around — make sure objects stay attached to your face and do not lag or jitter. If something does not look right, go back to Lens Studio, make changes, and regenerate the Snapcode to test again.

Submit your filter for review

Once you are happy with your filter, click Submit in Lens Studio. You will need to log in with your Snapchat account. Fill in a name for your filter, a description of what it does, and choose a category — like Face, World, or Portrait. You can also add tags to help people find it, like "funny" or "holiday".

Snapchat reviews community filters within a few days. If your filter follows Snapchat's guidelines — no hate speech, no sexual content, no impersonation of real people or brands — it will be approved and made available to all Snapchat users. You will get a notification when it goes live. If it is rejected, Snapchat will tell you why and you can fix it and resubmit.

Understand the difference between community and branded filters

Community filters are free to create and share with everyone on Snapchat. Anyone can use them, and you do not need special permission. Branded filters are different — they are designed for a specific business, event, or person, and only people you invite can use them. To create a branded filter, you need a Snapchat Business Account and you usually have to pay a fee, which varies depending on how long you want the filter to be available and how many people you want to reach.

If you are making a filter for a wedding, birthday party, or company event, a branded filter keeps it exclusive to your guests. You can set an expiration date so the filter disappears after the event ends. Community filters stay available indefinitely unless you remove them yourself.

Common mistakes to avoid

The most common mistake is making the filter too complicated. If your filter has too many animations or tracks too many facial features at once, it will drain battery and lag on older phones. Start straightforward — a single image or text overlay — and add complexity only if your test on a real phone shows it runs smoothly.

Another mistake is using copyrighted images or music without permission. Snapchat will reject filters that use logos, celebrity faces, or song clips you do not own the rights to. Stick to images you created yourself or that are labeled for free use. If you want to use a song, look for royalty-free music sites like Pixabay or Freepik.

Finally, do not assume your filter will work the same way on every phone. Test on at least one Android phone and one iPhone if you can. Older phones may not support certain effects, and Snapchat will let you know which devices your filter is compatible with when you submit it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to know how to code to make a Snapchat filter?

No. Lens Studio is designed for people without coding experience. You can build a complete filter using only the visual editor — dragging objects around, changing colors, and explore preset animations. If you want to do advanced things like create custom face tracking or build interactive games, you can learn Lens Studio's scripting language, but that is optional.

How long does it take Snapchat to review and approve my filter?

Community filters are usually reviewed within a few days. Branded filters may take longer depending on how busy Snapchat's review team is. You will get a notification when your filter is approved or rejected. If it is rejected, you can fix the issue and resubmit when ready.

Can I make money from a filter I create?

Community filters do not earn you money directly. However, if you build popular filters, you can use them to build an audience and promote other work. Snapchat does not currently pay creators for community filters. Branded filters are paid by the business or person who hires you to create them.

What happens to my filter if I delete it?

Once you delete a filter, it disappears from Snapchat and no one can use it anymore. People who saved it to their favorites will no longer be able to access it. You can always resubmit the same filter later if you change your mind.

Can I update a filter after it is already live?

Yes. You can make changes in Lens Studio and resubmit the updated version. Snapchat will review it again, and once approved, the new version replaces the old one. Existing users will automatically get the updated filter the next time they use it.