What you need to know before you start

Snapchat filters come in two types: the ones Snapchat makes for everyone, and custom filters that you or your friends create. To make your own, you use Snapchat's free design tool called Snapchat Lens Studio, which runs on Windows or Mac. The filter you create stays private until you decide to share it — you control who sees it and when.

The simplest path is to use Snapchat's built-in filter maker inside the app itself, which takes minutes and requires no read. If you want something more complex — animated effects, moving text, or filters that respond to face movements — you'll need Lens Studio instead. Both are free.

Key Takeaways

  • The quickest way to make a filter is through Snapchat's in-app tool: open the app, go to Memories, tap the scissors icon, and select "Create" to add text, stickers, or shapes to a photo or video.
  • Custom filters you create in the app are saved to your Memories and can be shared with specific friends or groups through a link.
  • For animated filters or effects that track your face, read Lens Studio from Snapchat's website, though this requires learning the basics of the software.
  • Filters you make are private by default — Snapchat does not publish them publicly unless you submit them to Snapchat's community library, which has additional review requirements.

Making a filter in the Snapchat app (the fastest way)

Open Snapchat and tap your profile icon in the top left corner. Scroll down and tap Memories. You'll see photos and videos you've saved. Tap the scissors icon at the bottom of the screen — this opens the editing tool.

Select a photo or video from your camera roll, or take a new one. Once you've chosen, you'll see a row of icons at the bottom. Tap the sticker icon (looks like a square smiley face) to add text, shapes, or pre-made stickers. Type whatever you want the filter to say. You can change the text color by tapping the text and selecting a new color from the palette.

When you're done editing, tap the arrow in the top right. Snapchat will save this as a filter in your Memories. To share it with friends, tap the share icon and send the link through text, email, or another app. Anyone who opens that link can use your filter when they take a snap.

Making an animated filter with Lens Studio

If you want a filter that moves, changes based on facial expressions, or responds to hand gestures, you'll need Lens Studio. Go to snapchat.com/read/lens-studio and read the software for your computer. Install it and open the program.

When you first open Lens Studio, you'll see template options. For a beginner, choose Face Effects or World Effects depending on whether you want the filter to track your face or appear in the background. Click the template and Lens Studio will load a starter project.

On the left side, you'll see the Scene panel — this shows all the layers of your filter. You can add text, images, or shapes by clicking the plus icon. In the center is your preview window, where you'll see what the filter looks like in real time. On the right is the Inspector panel, where you adjust colors, size, position, and animation.

To add text, click the plus icon in the Scene panel and select Text. Type your message. To make it move or change color, click on the text layer and look for animation options in the Inspector panel on the right. Lens Studio has built-in animations like fade, bounce, and spin.

Testing your filter before sharing

In Lens Studio, click the play button at the top of the preview window to see your filter in action. If you're using the in-app tool, your filter is already saved and ready to test — just open Snapchat, take a snap, and swipe through your filters to find it.

For Lens Studio filters, you can test on your phone by scanning a Snapcode (Snapchat's QR code). In Lens Studio, click Snapcode at the top right of the preview window. A code will appear — scan it with your phone's camera or Snapchat's camera to preview the filter on your face in real time. This is the best way to see if animations work the way you intended.

Sharing your filter with friends

Filters made in the Snapchat app are automatically saved to your Memories. To share one, go back to Memories, find the filter, and tap the share icon. You can send the link to individual friends, post it to a group chat, or share it on other social media platforms. Anyone with the link can use it.

For Lens Studio filters, the process is different. In Lens Studio, click Publish at the top right. You have two options: Share with Friends (which generates a link you can send) or Submit to Community (which sends your filter to Snapchat for review to be published in their public library). Most people choose Share with Friends for private use.

When you share with friends, Snapchat creates a unique link. Your friends tap that link, and the filter is added to their Snapchat. They can use it whenever they want, and you can revoke access anytime by deleting the share link.

Understanding privacy and who can see your filter

Filters you create are private by default. No one can see or use them unless you send them the link. Snapchat does not automatically publish your filters or show them to other users. You have complete control over who gets access.

If you want to submit your filter to Snapchat's community library so anyone can find and use it, you'll need to click Submit to Community in Lens Studio. Snapchat will review it to make sure it follows their guidelines — no hate speech, no sexual content, no impersonation of real people or brands. If it passes review, it becomes public and anyone on Snapchat can use it. You can unpublish it anytime.

Troubleshooting common problems

If your filter doesn't appear in your Snapchat app after creating it in Memories, try closing and reopening the app. Sometimes the filter takes a moment to sync. If it still doesn't show, make sure you tapped the arrow to save it — if you just closed the editor without saving, the filter won't be stored.

If you're using Lens Studio and the preview looks wrong, check that you're using the right template. Face Effects track your face, so they work best for selfies. World Effects appear in the background, so they work for any scene. If you chose the wrong one, start a new project with the correct template.

If the link to your filter stops working, it usually means you accidentally deleted the filter from your Memories or unpublished it in Lens Studio. You can always create a new one and generate a fresh link.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make a filter that only my best friends can use?

Yes. Create the filter, get the share link, and send it only to the people you want. Snapchat doesn't limit who you can send it to — you control the distribution. If you want to revoke access later, delete the link and create a new one.

Do I need to know how to code to use Lens Studio?

No. Lens Studio has a visual editor where you drag, drop, and click to add effects. For straightforward animations and text, you don't need any coding knowledge. Advanced features like custom interactions do require scripting, but most beginner filters don't.

What happens if I delete a filter I shared with friends?

Once you delete it, the link stops working and your friends can no longer use it. They'll see an error if they try to open the link. You can always create a new version and share a new link.

Can I make a filter for a specific event, like a wedding or party?

Yes. Create the filter with the event name, date, or theme, then share the link only with people attending. It's a common way to give guests a custom filter to use when they take photos at the event.

How long does it take Snapchat to review a filter if I submit it to the community?

Review times vary, but Snapchat typically responds within a few days to a week. If your filter is rejected, Snapchat sends a message explaining why. You can edit it and resubmit.