Snapchat Filters and Lenses: Use, Find and Make

Snapchat has two kinds of effects. Filters are "design overlays that you add on top of your Snaps," like a color effect, your location or the time. Lenses are augmented reality effects you use while you shoot, adding "3D effects, objects, characters, and transformations." Snap's help is clear they're different things.

We read 13 Snapchat Support articles on filters and Lenses and Snap's Lens Studio page on October 24, 2026.

About 33,100 people search "snapchat filters" each month, and 18,100 search "lens studio."

Filters vs Lenses: what's the difference?

	Filters	Lenses	AI and paid Lenses
When you use them	After you take a Snap	While you take it	While you take it
What they do	Color, venue info, Bitmoji, time, temperature	3D effects on your face or the world	AI changes to your Snap, exclusive Lenses
How to pick	Swipe left or right	Swipe the carousel	Snapcode, link, Lens Explorer, or a paid plan
Cost	Free	Free	Some free, some with Lens+

Snapchat Support articles on filters, Lenses, AI Lenses and Lens+, edited 2023 to 2026, read October 24, 2026.

How do you use filters on Snapchat?

1. Take a Snap.
2. Swipe left or right to choose a filter.
3. Tap the layer icon to add more than one.

Can't find the time or the temperature? Snap says to look in the sticker drawer. Moment Filters show up for occasions "like grabbing brunch, shopping, watching a sports game."

Why are my Snapchat filters not showing?

They're probably switched off, or Snapchat can't see your location. Snap's fix has two parts:

• Turn filters on. Open Settings, tap Manage under Additional Services and toggle Filters on.
• Turn on location services. On iPhone, go to Settings, then Privacy, then Location Services. On Android, go to Settings, then Location.

Location-based filters need that location access to work.

How do you use Lenses?

Go to the camera screen, swipe the carousel and tap a Lens. Then tap or hold the capture button.

Snap splits Lenses in two. Face Lenses change how you look, "like puppies, flower crown royalty, or even babies." World Lenses change what's around you, so you can "place your dancing Bitmoji on your desk." Some World Lenses don't work on every phone.

How do you find more Lenses?

Open Lens Explorer by tapping the magnifying glass while the carousel is open. Snap says it holds "thousands of Lenses built by Snapchatters." A few tricks from Snap's help:

• Tap a Lens tile to add it to your carousel for 24 hours.
• Tap the heart to save a favorite, up to a limit.
• Swipe up on a friend's Snap to try the Lens they used, if it has a Context Card.
• Scan a Snapcode with a circle in the middle to get a special Lens for a limited time.

You get AI Lenses the same ways: a Snapcode, a link or a search in Lens Explorer. Snapchat's paid Lens+ plan adds exclusive Lenses and AI features with a monthly allowance. Our Snapchat Plus guide covers the plans.

If a favorite Lens is gone, it's likely been rotated out. "The available Lenses are always updating," Snap says. Lenses also need iOS 12 or newer, or most phones on Android 4.4 or newer.

How do you make your own Snapchat filter?

Make a Lens. Snap ended custom filters: "It is no longer possible to create a custom filter for special events like weddings and birthday parties. However, you can create a Lens with Lens Studio."

Business geofilters went too. "On-Demand Geofilters will no longer be supported starting on February 10, 2023," Snap's help says, and geofilter ads stopped on March 31, 2023. Snap points brands to Sponsored Lenses now.

Snap's tools for making a Lens:

Tool	Who it's for
Easy Lens	Anyone. Snap says you can "Make Snapchat Lenses for your friends in minutes"
Lens Studio app and web	Everyday creators, from templates or from scratch
Lens Studio desktop	"Professional developers building complex AR experiences"

Snapchat Support, "How can I create Lenses for Snapchat?" (edited May 12, 2026), and Snap AR's Lens Studio page, read October 24, 2026.

Lens Studio is free, Snap says. The mobile app is on iOS, with Android "coming soon," and there's a version that runs in your web browser. Creators can also enter Lens Creator Rewards "for a chance to win monthly cash prizes."

Want Lenses on your computer's webcam? Our Snap Camera guide covers what replaced Snap's old desktop app.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between Snapchat filters and Lenses?

Filters are overlays you add after taking a Snap. Lenses are AR effects you use while you take it.

How do I use filters on Snapchat?

Take a Snap, then swipe left or right. Tap the layer icon to stack more than one.

Why are my Snapchat filters not showing?

Turn Filters on under Settings, then Manage, and turn on location services for Snapchat.

How do I make my own Snapchat filter?

Snap no longer offers custom filters for events. Make a Lens with Easy Lens or Lens Studio.

Can you still buy a Snapchat geofilter?

No. On-Demand Geofilters stopped on February 10, 2023, and the ads ended March 31, 2023.

How do I find more Lenses on Snapchat?

Tap the magnifying glass on the carousel to open Lens Explorer, or swipe up on a friend's Snap to try their Lens.

Hclout sells Snapchat followers and likes on its Snapchat page, so weigh our advice the way you'd weigh any seller's.

Sources

• Snapchat Support, "How do I add a Filter to a Snap?" (edited April 7, 2026), "How do I enable Snapchat Filters in Settings?" (edited June 10, 2026), "What is a Moment Filter on Snapchat?" and "How to Buy a Filter for My Business" (edited September 12, 2023), read October 24, 2026
• Snapchat Support, "How do I use Lenses on Snapchat?", "How do I find new Lenses on Snapchat?", "How do I use AI Lenses on Snapchat?", "What is the Snapchat+ Lens+ Monthly Plan?", "Why are some Lenses not working on Snapchat?" and "Why are some Lenses no longer available on Snapchat?", read October 24, 2026
• Snapchat Support, "How can I create Lenses for Snapchat?" (edited May 12, 2026), read October 24, 2026
• Snap AR, "Lens Studio," read October 24, 2026
• Google Ads Keyword Planner, worldwide, read October 24, 2026