Guide
How to maintain eye contact with a teleprompter.
The most common teleprompter problem is visible eye movement. Here is what causes it and exactly how to fix it.
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Quick answer
Why teleprompter eye contact fails and how to fix it. Font size, device placement, voice scroll, and the 5-degree rule explained.
Why the eye movement problem happens
Your eyes naturally move to track text as you read. When the script is positioned away from your camera lens — even a few degrees — that movement is visible to viewers. The further the script is from the lens, the more pronounced the effect.
Most creators notice it first when watching their recordings back: the eyes appear to flicker left-to-right across each line, then jump back to the start. This is normal reading motion, and it looks unnatural on camera because viewers expect someone talking to them to hold a steady gaze.
The 5-degree rule
Professional teleprompter rigs are designed to keep the angle between the script, the reflector glass, and the camera lens under 3 degrees. For consumer setups — a phone or tablet below a webcam — 5 degrees is the practical target. Beyond that, the eye movement becomes visible in standard video.
To test your setup: record 30 seconds, then watch it back on a phone at normal viewing distance. If you can see the eyes moving, the script is too far from the lens or the font is too small.
Fixes in order of impact
Move the device closer to the lens
This is the single biggest factor. The script should be as physically close to the camera lens as possible. For laptop webcams, a phone resting on the keyboard below the screen is a good starting position.
Increase font size
Bigger text means fewer eye movements per line. Use 48px minimum for a phone at arm's length, 56–64px for a device further away. Wider fonts with good letter spacing help further.
Narrow the column width
Shorter lines mean the eye travels less distance per line. Set column width to 50–60% of the screen. This also makes the script easier to internalize at pace.
Enable voice scroll
Manual scroll speed forces you to glance at controls mid-take. Voice scroll eliminates that entirely — the script moves when you speak and stops when you stop.
Slow your reading pace
Rushing causes eyes to jump ahead. At 120–140 WPM your eye movement is more controlled and your delivery sounds more authoritative. Use voice scroll to let your natural pace set the speed.
Frequently asked questions
Why do my eyes move when I use a teleprompter?
Eye movement is caused by the script being too far from the camera, font size too small, lines too long, or scroll speed not matching your speaking pace.
How close to the camera should my teleprompter be?
As close as physically possible. Professional rigs aim for under 3 degrees between your eye line, the screen, and the lens. For consumer setups 5 degrees is the practical maximum.
Does voice scroll help with eye contact?
Yes. Voice scroll eliminates the need to touch the device to adjust speed — one of the most common causes of eye breaks during recording.
Do I need a glass rig for good eye contact?
No. A glass rig is ideal for broadcast quality setups but most creators get excellent results with a phone or tablet placed directly below their camera lens.