How to Make a Megaphone

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Last Updated: December 13, 2023 Fact Checked

Sporting events and assemblies often get excessively loud. If you need your voice to be heard, a megaphone is a great way to go. If you don’t want to buy a megaphone you can make your own. Making your own megaphone is as simple as cutting a template, rolling the it into the right shape, and decorating your megaphone.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Cutting the Material

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1
Choose a material. You can make an effective megaphone out of sturdy construction paper. For a more durable version, you can shape it from a cardboard or posterboard. Either way, you can decorate your megaphone when you are finished to make it aesthetically pleasing.^{[1]
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- Whatever your material, you will need a 30 inches (76 cm) by 30 inches (76 cm) square of it.
2
Find the center point of one side. Choose one side of the square and mark the center of it. This will allow you to measure your megaphone proportionally. You can mark the spot with a marker, or push a pin in the center point.^{[2]
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- Use a ruler along one edge to measure 15 inches (38 cm) This is the center point for that edge. Since all of the edges are the same, it doesn’t matter which one you use.
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3
Make a short arc. Make an arc with a 5 inches (13 cm) radius from the center point. This arc will form the narrow end of your megaphone. If done correctly, your arc will start on one side of the center point and end on the other side.^{[3]
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- You can use a 5 inches (13 cm) string stuck to the center point to make your arc. Put a pencil on the far end of the string and swoop it around the surface of your material.
4
Make a long arc. Your second arc should have a radius of 29 inches (74 cm). You can use a piece of string that is 29 inches (74 cm) long to make the arc. Tape or pin one end of the string to the center point, and attach the other end to a pencil. Swoop the string along the surface of your material to make your long arc.^{[4]
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- The long arc will make the wide end of your megaphone.
Draw a line from both ends of the long arc back the center point. The lines should meet at the center point and make a cone shape. Cut along these lines with scissors. Next, cut along the both arcs.^{[5]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Shaping the Megaphone

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Once the megaphone template has been cut, it is time to shape the template. Start by taking one end of the template and rolling it over the other end. Do not fold or crease the template.
2
Overlap one side. One side of the megaphone should overlap the other side. Create a 1 inch (2.5 cm) overlap to ensure that the megaphone stays together. Without the overlap, the megaphone could easily pull apart.^{[6]
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- The narrow end of the megaphone will be between 1 inch (2.5 cm) and 2 inches (5.1 cm) in diameter.
Use super glue or hot glue to glue down the overlapping side. If you are using a sturdy material, like cardboard, you can use metal fasteners in place of glue. Either way, make sure that the megaphone cannot unravel.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Enhancing Your Megaphone

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1
Decorate your megaphone, if desired. Once your megaphone has been cut and shaped, you can make it look good. Use markers or paint to color the megaphone. You can also cut out or draw designs to put on your megaphone.^{[7]
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- Do not cut the megaphone to make designs.
A megaphone handle will help you hold the megaphone, making it more effective. Cut a cardboard roll to roughly 6 inches (15 cm). Tape the role to the bottom of your megaphone. If you have decorated your megaphone, you can decorate the roll to match.^{[8]
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3
Add a mouthpiece. You can cut a tapered mouthpiece from wood or cardboard. Cut or sand the material into the shape and size that you want. The mouthpiece is not necessary, but it can make speaking into the megaphone easier. Once you have finished your megaphone, try it out by speaking into the mouthpiece and hearing your voice amplified.^{[9]
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- Measure the circumference of the narrow end of your megaphone. You want the mouthpiece to fit inside that circle. For example, if the circumference is 4 inches (10 cm), then you want to make a mouthpiece with a circumference slightly less than 4 inches (10 cm).

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Question

Would it lower the pitch of my voice?

Community Answer

No. A megaphone is used to amplify a voice or sound, it doesn't change pitch.

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