DIY Teleprompter: Build Your Own or Use a Free Online One

You don't need to spend hundreds on a teleprompter. You can build a basic one from stuff you already have at home, or skip the build entirely and use a free online teleprompter that does the same job.

How a DIY Teleprompter Works

A teleprompter is simpler than it looks. The core principle: display scrolling text on a screen and position it so you can read while looking at the camera. A professional setup uses a beam-splitter mirror to reflect text in front of the lens. A DIY version achieves the same result with cheaper materials.

Option 1: The Glass-and-Box Method

This is the classic DIY teleprompter build. You need:

• A sheet of clear glass or acrylic (a picture frame works perfectly)
• A cardboard box or foam board to hold the glass at a 45-degree angle
• A phone or tablet to display the scrolling text below the glass
• Teleprompter software with mirror mode to flip the text so it reads correctly when reflected

Cut a hole in the box for your camera lens, angle the glass at 45 degrees in front of the lens, and place your phone face-up below it. The phone displays mirrored text; the glass reflects it toward you; the camera shoots through the glass.

It works, but alignment is fiddly, the glass picks up room reflections, and the whole rig is fragile. Great for a one-off experiment, less great for daily use.

Option 2: The Laptop Method (No Build Required)

The simplest DIY teleprompter is one you already own: your laptop. The webcam sits right above the screen. When you read text at the top of your display, your eyes are already looking almost directly at the camera.

Open a free online teleprompter like LilPrompter in fullscreen, set a large font size, and read from the top of the screen. No building, no glass, no alignment. The eye contact is close enough to perfect for YouTube, TikTok, and any talking-head format.

Option 3: The Second-Screen Method

If you record with an external camera or phone, place a tablet or laptop running LilPrompter directly behind or beside the camera lens. You read from the screen while the camera records you. The closer the teleprompter is to the lens, the more natural your eye line looks.

This is how most professional YouTubers use teleprompters without a hardware rig. It takes 30 seconds to set up and works with any camera.

Which DIY Method Should You Use?

The Software You Need (Free)

Whichever method you choose, you need software to scroll the text. LilPrompter is a free teleprompter that runs in your browser with adjustable scroll speed, mirror mode for glass rigs, font size control, and a dark interface that reduces glare. No signup, no downloads. Works on any device with a browser.