How to Make a Pen Stylus

PDF download Download Article
Easy ways to make a stylus with a pen
PDF download Download Article

A pen stylus is a great way to improve your accuracy when drawing or writing on your touch screen device. Try making your own stylus at home from basic materials. If you have a metal pen on hand, simply remove the ink tube and replace it with a cotton ball. Alternatively, use aluminum and foil to turn any pen into a stylus. These methods are quick and easy, and work on any device that has a touch screen.

How to Make a Pen Stylus

  • Remove the inside of a metal pen and fill the tip with cotton to make a quick stylus.
  • Use a cotton swab as a makeshift stylus. You can also cut the tip of the swab off and insert it into a pen tip.
  • If you use a metal pen and want to protect your screen, wrap the gap between the pen and the cotton in aluminum foil.
Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Using a Metal Pen

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/0b\/Make-a-Pen-Stylus-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-a-Pen-Stylus-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/0b\/Make-a-Pen-Stylus-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid2139409-v4-728px-Make-a-Pen-Stylus-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":410,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    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. [1]
    • It is important to use a pen with a metallic body, as this conducts the electrical charge from your hand which makes the stylus to work.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Pen Stylus
    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. [2]
    • If you don't have a cotton ball, use a small piece of cotton fabric.
    Advertisement
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Pen Stylus
    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. [3]
    • 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.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/00\/Make-a-Pen-Stylus-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-a-Pen-Stylus-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/00\/Make-a-Pen-Stylus-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/aid2139409-v4-728px-Make-a-Pen-Stylus-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":410,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Press the cotton ball down on the screen to activate it. Move the stylus around the screen to navigate around the device. Keep spare cotton balls on hand to refill your stylus in case it falls out with usage or in storage. [4]
    5. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Creating a Stylus with Aluminium Foil and Cotton

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Pen Stylus
    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. [5]
    • Keep the small inside parts of the pen away from children, as they can pose a choking risk.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Pen Stylus
    Estimate where the middle of the Q-tip is and then chop it in half on a sharp angle. This creates a pointy end on the plastic part of the Q-tip which makes it easier to insert into the pen. [6]
    • Throw 1 half of the Q-tip into the trash, as it is not needed for the stylus.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Pen Stylus
    Leave the cotton portion of the Q-tip and about 5 millimetres (0.20 in) of the plastic handle out of the pen. Don't worry if the Q-tip is a little loose, simply hold it in place for now. [7]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Pen Stylus
    Wrap the tape around the plastic portion of the Q-tip and the mouth of the pen so that it stays in place when you are using your stylus. If the Q-tip still feels a little lo0se, simply wrap another piece of tape around it. [8]
    • Both sticky tape and masking tape work for this task. Avoid using washi tape, as this doesn't tend to be as sticky.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Pen Stylus
    Cut out the aluminium foil with a pair of scissors. Wrap the square tightly around the plastic portion of the Q-tip and around the neck of the pen. The aluminium foil helps to transfer the electrical current from your hand to the tip of the Q-tip. [9]
    • Don't cover up the cotton portion of the Q-tip, as this helps to prevent the screen from getting scratched.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Pen Stylus
    Wet your fingers and then dab the Q-tip 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 Q-tip. [10]
    • Avoid soaking the Q-tip in water, as this can leave drops of water on your screen.
    7. Advertisement

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 53 Helpful 130
  • 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 47 Helpful 66
  • 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 50 Helpful 81
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Reader Videos

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      Things You'll Need

      Using a Metal Pen

      • Scissors
      • Cotton ball
      • Pen with a metallic body

      Creating a Stylus with Aluminium Foil

      • Scissors
      • Q-tip
      • Sticky tape
      • Water
      • Aluminium Foil

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Make a Stylus
      How to
      Connect Two Monitors
      6 Quick Ways to Scan Documents to PDF on Mobile or Desktop
      How to
      Make a Stylus for iPad
      How to
      Scan Multiple Pages Into One PDF File
      How to
      Connect a Microphone to a Mac or Windows Computer
      How to
      Email a Scanned Document as a PDF
      How to
      Scan Photos
      How to
      Scan a Book to PDF on a Computer, iPhone, or Android
      How to
      Digitally Scan 35mm Slides
      How to
      Remove a Device from the HP Smart App
      How to
      Install a Fingerprint Reader
      How to
      Scan and Print Pictures from a Computer
      How to
      Transfer a Hand Drawing to a Computer
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://youtu.be/4tf2lm5RgCU?t=14
      2. ↑ https://youtu.be/4tf2lm5RgCU?t=28
      3. ↑ https://youtu.be/4tf2lm5RgCU?t=53
      4. ↑ https://youtu.be/4tf2lm5RgCU?t=53
      5. ↑ https://www.cnet.com/how-to/diy-the-2-minute-stylus/
      6. ↑ https://youtu.be/8-rPLMErdFU?t=59
      7. ↑ https://youtu.be/8-rPLMErdFU?t=65
      8. ↑ https://www.cnet.com/how-to/diy-the-2-minute-stylus/
      9. ↑ https://youtu.be/8-rPLMErdFU?t=96
      1. ↑ https://www.cnet.com/how-to/diy-the-2-minute-stylus/

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 234,636 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement