Creating a filter starts in the camera view, not in settings

To make a Snapchat filter, open the app and tap the camera icon to enter camera mode. Point your phone at what you want to film or photograph. Once you're in the camera view, tap and hold your face (if you're making a face filter) or the background (if you're making a location or world filter). A row of circular icons will appear at the bottom of the screen — these are Snapchat's built-in filters and lenses. Swipe left or right through them to preview different effects in real time.

The filters Snapchat provides are ready to use when ready — you don't create them from scratch. What you're actually doing is selecting which filter to explore to your snap before you send it. If you want to design a custom filter that only you and your friends see, or one tied to a specific location or event, you'll need to use Snapchat's Filters & Lenses tool, which is a different process that requires a computer.

Key Takeaways

  • Built-in filters appear when you tap and hold your face or background in camera mode, then swipe left or right to browse them.
  • Snapchat's pre-made filters are free and available to all users — you're selecting them, not creating them.
  • Custom filters you design yourself require Snapchat's Filters & Lenses tool on a computer and cost money to publish to a specific location or event.
  • Filters are different from lenses — filters change the look of your photo or video, while lenses add animated effects or objects to your face or scene.

How to browse and explore built-in filters in camera mode

Once you tap and hold on your face or the scene in front of you, a carousel of circular filter icons slides up from the bottom. Each circle shows a tiny preview of what that filter does. Swipe left to see more filters, or swipe right to go back to ones you've already seen. When you find one you like, tap it once to explore it to your live camera view.

The filters stay applied as you take your snap — you'll see the effect in real time. If you change your mind, swipe to a different filter or tap the blank circle (usually on the far left) to remove all filters. You can explore only one filter at a time, so choosing a new one automatically replaces the old one.

Snapchat rotates which filters appear in the carousel based on what's trending, the time of day, and your location. This means the filters you see today might be different from the ones you see tomorrow. If you find a filter you love, you can heart it by tapping the heart icon that appears when you select it — this adds it to your favorites and makes it easier to find later.

The difference between filters and lenses

Filters change the overall appearance of your photo or video — they might add a color tint, a vintage effect, a black-and-white look, or a weather-based overlay. They sit on top of what you're filming without adding objects or moving parts.

Lenses are animated effects that interact with your face or your surroundings. A lens might put dog ears on your head, make your face bigger or smaller, add sparkles around you, or transform your background entirely. Lenses use your phone's camera to track movement, so they respond to what you do — if a lens adds bunny ears, they'll move when you move your head.

Both filters and lenses appear in the same carousel when you tap and hold in camera mode. The difference matters because some people prefer the subtle change of a filter, while others want the playful, interactive effect of a lens. You'll learn which is which as you swipe through — lenses are usually more obvious and animated.

How to design a custom filter using Snapchat's online tool

If you want to create a filter that's unique to you — one that shows your name, a date, or a custom design — you'll use Snapchat's Filters & Lenses tool on a computer. Go to snapchat.com/filters and sign in with your Snapchat account. Click "Create" and choose whether you want to make a filter (a static design) or a lens (an interactive effect).

For a filter, you'll upload an image or design file. Snapchat accepts PNG files with transparent backgrounds, which means you can design something in Photoshop, Canva, or another design tool and upload it. The filter will overlay on top of whatever the user is filming. You'll set the size, position, and rotation of your design, then preview how it looks on a sample photo.

Once your design is ready, you choose whether to publish it as a Community Filter (free, available to everyone in a specific location) or a Sponsored Filter (paid, tied to a brand or event). Community Filters are free to create but Snapchat reviews them before they go live. Sponsored Filters require payment and are typically used for birthdays, weddings, business promotions, or events.

Setting up a location-based or event-based filter

If you're planning an event — a wedding, birthday party, graduation, or business launch — you can create a filter that only appears to people in a specific location or during a specific time window. This is done through the Filters & Lenses tool on the Snapchat website.

When you create a filter, you'll specify the geographic area where it should appear (by drawing a boundary on a map) and the dates and times it should be active. During that window, anyone who opens Snapchat's camera within that area will see your custom filter in their carousel. This is why you often see custom filters at weddings or concerts — the couple or venue paid for a filter that only works in that location on that day.

The cost varies depending on the size of the area, how long the filter runs, and how popular the location is. A small neighborhood filter for a few hours might cost less than a downtown area filter for a full weekend. Snapchat's pricing tool on the Filters & Lenses site will show you an estimate before you commit.

Saving and organizing your favorite filters

When you find a filter you like, tap the heart icon that appears when you select it. This saves it to your favorites. Your favorite filters appear at the beginning of the carousel next time you open camera mode, so you don't have to swipe through dozens of filters to find the ones you use most.

You can also pin a filter by swiping up on it in the carousel — this locks it in place so it stays at the top of your list. If you change your mind, swipe down on a pinned filter to unpin it. Snapchat also learns which filters you use most and may start showing similar ones more often.

There's no limit to how many filters you can heart or pin, so don't worry about running out of space. Your favorites sync across all your devices if you're signed into the same Snapchat account.

Troubleshooting filters that won't appear or work

If you're not seeing any filters when you tap and hold in camera mode, first check that you're tapping and holding long enough — it usually takes a full second for the carousel to appear. Make sure you're tapping on your face (for face filters) or the background (for world filters), not on empty space.

If filters still don't appear, restart the Snapchat app. Close it completely and reopen it, then try again. If that doesn't work, make sure your app is up to date — go to your phone's app store and check for Snapchat updates. Snapchat adds new filters regularly and fixes bugs in updates, so an outdated version might not show the full carousel.

If a specific filter isn't working the way it should — for example, a face filter isn't tracking your face correctly — try switching to a different filter and then back. If the problem continues, that particular filter may have a bug. Report it by taking a screenshot, opening Snapchat's support page, and describing what's happening.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I create a filter without using a computer?

No, Snapchat's design tool for custom filters only works on a computer through snapchat.com/filters. You can browse and use Snapchat's built-in filters on your phone, but designing a new one requires a computer and the Filters & Lenses tool.

Do I have to pay to use Snapchat's regular filters?

No, all of Snapchat's built-in filters and lenses are free. You only pay if you want to create and publish your own custom filter to a location or event.

What file format do I need to design a custom filter?

Snapchat accepts PNG files with transparent backgrounds. You can design your filter in Canva, Photoshop, GIMP, or any tool that exports PNG files. The transparent background lets your filter sit on top of the user's photo or video without blocking what's behind it.

How long does it take for my custom filter to go live?

Community Filters usually go live within 24 hours after Snapchat reviews them. Sponsored Filters can go live when ready once you've paid and confirmed the details. The exact timing depends on when you submit and how busy Snapchat's review team is.

Can I use the same custom filter in multiple locations?

Yes, you can create one filter design and publish it to multiple locations or time windows. Each location or event is a separate purchase, so you'll pay for each one separately through the Filters & Lenses tool.