How to Make a Pen Stylus in Just a Few Minutes

Download Article

Create a DIY stylus for your tablet or smartphone

Written by Hannah Dillon

Last Updated: October 20, 2025 Fact Checked

Download Article

Foil & Cotton Swab

|

Metal Pen & Cotton Swab

|

Granola Bar Wrapper

|

Video

|

Q&A

|

Things You'll Need

A pen stylus is a great way to improve your accuracy when drawing or writing on your touch screen device. However, styluses can be expensive. However, did you know that you can DIY your own pen stylus? In this article, we go over three ways to make your own pen stylus to use on your smartphone, tablet, or gaming console. These methods are quick and easy, and work on any device that has a touch screen. Read on to learn how!

Ways to Make a DIY Pen Stylus

Insert a cotton swab into an empty pen, then wrap aluminum foil around the pen and dip the cotton swab into water.
Put some cotton inside the tip of an empty pen with a metal body.
Wrap a clean granola wrapper, foil side out, around the tip of a pencil.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using Aluminum Foil and a Cotton Swab

Download Article

1
Unscrew the pen to remove the ink tube. In order to make this stylus, you need a pen that can be unscrewed. Remove the spring and ink tube from inside the pen and then reassemble the pen.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- Keep the small inside parts of the pen away from children, as they can pose a choking risk.
Estimate where the middle of the cotton swab is and then chop it in half at a sharp angle. This creates a pointy end on the plastic part of the cotton swab which makes it easier to insert into the pen.^{[2]
X
Research source}

Advertisement
Leave the cotton portion of the cotton swab and about 5 millimetres (0.20 in) of the plastic handle out of the pen. Don't worry if the cotton swab is a little loose, simply hold it in place for now.^{[3]
X
Research source}
4
Secure the cotton swab in place with a piece of tape. Wrap the tape around the plastic portion of the cotton swab and the mouth of the pen so that it stays in place when you are using your stylus. If the cotton swab still feels a little loose, simply wrap another piece of tape around it.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- Both sticky tape and masking tape work for this task. Avoid using washi tape, as this doesn't tend to be as sticky.
5
Wrap a 9 cm (3.5 in) square of foil around the cotton swab and the neck of the pen. Cut out the aluminium foil with a pair of scissors. Wrap the square tightly around the plastic portion of the cotton swab and around the neck of the pen. The aluminium foil helps to transfer the electrical current from your hand to the tip of the cotton swab.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- Don't cover up the cotton portion of the cotton swab, as this helps to prevent the screen from getting scratched.
6
Moisten the tip of the cotton swab with water each time you use it. Wet your fingers and then dab the cotton swab with your damp fingers. This small amount of water helps to conduct the electrical current and makes the point of the stylus more accurate. Use your homemade stylus to navigate your way around your device. If it loses its accuracy, simply place a little extra water on the end of the cotton swab.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- Avoid soaking the cotton swab in water, as this can leave drops of water on your screen.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using a Metal Pen and a Cotton Swab

Download Article

1
Remove the ink tube from a pen that has a metallic body. Unscrew the mouth of the pen to reveal the ink tube. Pull out the ink tube and the spring from the body of the pen, and then screw the pen back together. Throw the ink tube straight into the trash once you remove it to stop it from leaking on your furniture.^{[7]
X
Research source}
- It is important to use a pen with a metallic body, as this conducts the electrical charge from your hand, which makes the stylus work.
The cotton ball helps to conduct the electrical current and gives the stylus a padded pointer. Roll up a little cotton ball and push it into the nib of the pen. Try to push as much of the cotton ball as you can into the pen so that it doesn't come loose when you try to use the stylus. ^{[8]
X
Research source}
3
Trim off any excess cotton ball that is hanging out of the nib. This makes the stylus easier to use and makes its touch more accurate. Leave about 2 millimetres (0.079 in) of the cotton ball hanging out of the pen so that the tip of the metal pen doesn't scratch your screen.^{[9]
X
Research source}
- If the cotton ball falls out or gets pushed into the pen over time, simply push a little more of the cotton ball into the nib of the pen.
Press the cotton ball down on the screen to activate it. Move the stylus around the screen to navigate the device. Keep spare cotton balls on hand to refill your stylus in case it falls out with usage or in storage.^{[10]
X
Research source}

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using a Granola Bar Wrapper

Download Article

1
Grab a granola bar wrapper and a pencil. Make sure the wrapper of your granola bar has a metallic side. If the wrapper is purely plastic or paper, it won't work for this DIY. Flatten the granola bar wrapper completely before continuing.
- Wipe off the wrapper before using it in this project.
- Feel free to trim the granola bar wrapper if there are any parts with glue or stuck-on food.
- You can use a pen or a chopstick instead of a pencil, as long as the tip isn't too sharp or jagged. If it is, the stylus might damage your iPad screen.
2
Wrap the granola bar wrapper around the pencil, foil side out. Feel free to use a little tape to keep the granola bar wrapper in place.
- Make sure the wrapper completely encloses the tip of the pencil, and that it goes far enough up the length of the pencil so you can touch it while using the stylus.
3
Hold the pencil with your finger in contact with the wrapper. This is the key that makes this stylus work—the metal in the granola bar wrapper will conduct the electricity in your finger, which will then allow the stylus to work on your iPad.^{[11]
X
Research source}
- You may have to press a bit harder to get this stylus to work, but never press so hard that you damage the device's screen.

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

I put water on the end of my stylus and use it on my phone screen, but nothing happens. Please help.

Verin

Top Answerer

Make sure that the foil is in contact with the tip, and that you are touching the foil at all times. Remember, it's your body's natural electric field that allows you to interact with your tablet screen, and that the foil and wet tip are conducting that field.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 76 Helpful 154
Question

Is it important to use only cotton swabs or we can use cotton?

Community Answer

You can use cotton balls if you would rather, they'll work just as well.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 55 Helpful 81
Question

Can I use a pencil as a stylus?

Belle K.

Top Answerer

No. The eraser is far too rough for the screen and will just dirty it up. The graphite tip will just destroy the screen.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 63 Helpful 102