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Overview

Due to an extreme shortage of medically approved and commercially available personal protective equipment (PPE), WHO and CDC previously recommended that only sick or those caring for sick should wear a mask. They have recently changed guidance. Many experts advocate for public mask use as well as governments.

We provide here a curated list of DIY masks along with links to build pages. We have ranked each design along five dimensions, with 5 stars the best. Less tools and materials are considered better. In some cases a design may call for more materials or tools, but if these are commonly available we will give it a higher rating than a design that has fewer highly specialize tools. Protection is judged on the combination of face seal and filter efficiency and, in some cases, full face protection (for example if a mask is integrated into a face shield).

If you have a design and would like it to be included in this list, please leave a comment below and provide a link to your build page. There is no ‘best’ design because everybody has different materials, tools, skills, time, etc. Only limited designs are acceptable for front line workers or healthy caring for the sick. Many designs are acceptable for use by healthy people in public. In this case we encourage you to learn about the principle of good mask design and get creative!

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1. Filter Materials for DIY Masks

1. Assembling and Using a DIY Mask

Dimension Rank Comments Tools ★★★ Sewing Machine, scissors, ruler, pins or clips,jewlry pliers,ink pen, elastic bands or ties Materials ★ Halyard H600 two-ply spun polypropylene, wire, acrylic yarn Comfort ★★★★★ soft fabric against face, tie around head Protection ★★★★★ Halyard tested to 3.0 microns (same as surgical mask) but may be better, good seal around nose with wire insert. Passed the Respirator Fit Test Reuse/Disinfection ★★★★ Do not wash. If reused it is advised to use one of the standard CDC N95 mask reuse protocols, i.e. bake at 70C for 30min. Good info here

U of F filed a patent, but appear to be OK with people making the mask. Specialized Halyard H600 material only found in hospitals but is potentially abundant. Important Note: Their initial claims of “better than N-95” were based on manufacture marketing material related to blocking of bacteria:

“It blocks 99.9% of particulates, making the masks about 4% more effective at blocking particulate material than the N95 masks, according to Bruce Spiess, M.D., a professor of anesthesiology in the UF College of Medicine, who made that calculation based on the manufacturer’s specifications.”

Bacterial filtration efficiency (BFE) is a measure of the effectiveness of a material to filter bacteria 3.0 µm in size, whereas filtration efficiency (FE) is a measure of the effectiveness of a material to filter submicron (median diameter of 0.075 µm) particles of NaCl. Medical masks have a BFE of >95–99% and a >78–87% FE. The N95 respirator has an FE of >95% and a BFE of >>99% [ref].

The manufacturer has released a statement on its website attempting to protect itself from potential liability.

Dimension Rank Comments Tools ★★★ 3D Printer Materials ★ PLA Filament, specific snorkel mask, specific filter Comfort ★★★ Soft rubber seal against face Protection ★★★★★ Sealed full face shield and rear-facing mask filter Reuse/Disinfection ★★★ Filter can be replaced, plastic spray-disinfected or washed with soap and water. Large/bulky.

This mask is intended for medical staff and not for private individuals. However, if you already own a snorkel mask and can obtain or build a filter, and are not embarrassed to go out in public with it, it’s a good option. Stanford video.

Dimension Rank Comments Tools ★★★★ 3D printer OR pliers with wire cutter Materials ★★★★ 3D printer filament OR cloths hanger, (3) rubber bands, small diameter rope or elastic band, fabric Comfort ★★★★ Cloth pressed tight to face, elastic band or rope around head Protection ★★★ Good face seal. Fabric dependent, but would be excellent if used with a surgical mask, HEPA material or Halyard 600 Reuse/Disinfection ★★★★ Fabric and harness can be washed

This project is a slight upgrade to the “Fix the Mask” design below, as the wire resolves potential issues with seal around nose.

Dimension Rank Comments Tools ★★★★★ None! Materials ★★★ Surgical Mask, (3) rubber bands Comfort ★★★ Surgical mask pressed tight to face, rubber bands pulling ears. Protection ★★★★ OK seal except for folds in surgical mask.ASTM surgical masks rated at 0.1 microns is ≥95%. Reuse/Disinfection ★★ Unclear. We recommend N-95 reuse procedures, see this page for more information on possibilities.

Note: If you have surgical masks please donate them to your local healthcare professionals and inform them of this project. Medically approved/certified masks are in very short supply and need to go to front-line workers first.

Dimension Rank Comments Tools ★★ 3D Printer, sanding paper (multiple grits), scissors/knife Materials ★★ PLA Filament, super glue, rubber o-rings, filler, spray paint, rubber window trimming tape Comfort ★★★★ Soft rubber seal, may not provide adequate ventilation when combined with efficient filter material Protection ★★★★ Dependent on filter material but surgical mask material is specified Reuse/Disinfection ★★★★ Filter can be replaced, plastic spray-disinfected or washed with soap and water.

Involved and requires substantial time and materials but looks great.

Dimension Rank Comments Tools ★★★ Sewing machine, scissors, pins Materials ★★★ Cotton weave fabric, double-sided skin adhesive, all-purpose thread, (2) hair ties, filter material (HEPA) Comfort ★★★ Soft fabric against face, hair-ties pulling ears. Protection ★★★★ OK seal but no nose clamp. We recommend wearing with glasses for improved seal around nose. Multiple layers of cotton fabric with HEPA filter insert. Reuse/Disinfection ★★★★ Mask can be washed and filter replaced.

UnityPoint Health is asking for donations of this mask. Note they are not asking for fully finished masks, as they will add final touches and provide filter material.

Dimension Rank Comments Tools ★★★ Sewing machine, scissors Materials ★★★ fabric, filter material, 14ga or similar wire Comfort ★★★★★ Soft fabric against face, fabric ties around head Protection ★★★ Good seal with design and nose crimp wire, filter material in addition to fabric Reuse/Disinfection ★★★ Filter cannot be removed but mask can be washed if filter material allows it

Very good step-by-step instructions with pictures.

Dimension Rank Comments Tools ★★★ Sewing machine, glue gun, scissors, pencil Materials ★★★ HEPA vacuum bags, hot melt glue, thread, pipe cleaner, elastic bands Comfort ★★★ vacuum bag tight around face, elastic around head. Vacuum bag can be hard to breath through due to high air resistance. Protection ★★★★ Good seal, efficient filter material but untested for mask use. Reuse/Disinfection ★★★ Unclear. We recommend an N-95 disinfection protocol. More information here.

Due to possibility of materials in HEPA filters like fiberglass or other materials dangerous if inhaled, we recommend a layer of tight weave cotton on the face-side.

Dimension Rank Comments Tools ★★★ 3D Printer, knife Materials ★★ PLA Filament, rubber weather stripping, elastic bands, filter material Comfort ★★★★ soft rubber against face, elastic around head. Protection ★★★★ Dependent on filter material. Good seal. Reuse/Disinfection ★★★ Mask can be washed, filter replaced. Weather stripping may come off during washing.

Might want to look into Simolex mask gasket which was identified by the FiredByCorona team.

Dimension Rank Comments Tools ★★★ Sewing Machine, scissors, ruler, marker, pins Materials ★★★ Fabric, thread, elastic ties or fabric ties, filter material Comfort ★★★★★ Soft fabric worn around face. Protection ★★★★ Dependent on fabric and filter material, but .3um filter specified. Good seal. Embedded wire for nose fit. Reuse/Disinfection ★★★★★ Mask can be washed, filter discarded.

Multiple patterns/sizes available with good tutorials and videos.

Dimension Rank Comments Tools ★★★ Sewing machine, wire clippers and/or scissors, ruler, marker, pins Materials ★★★ MERV 12 or higher Filtrete Air Filter, Thread, 1/4″ elastic band, wire cloths hanger OR 1/2″ wide X 1/64″ thick aluminum strip (K&S precision metals), stapler, bias tape or old T-shirt cut into strips Comfort ★★★★ Air filter worn around/close to face, cotton seal/edging. Protection ★★★★ .3um filter specified with good nose seal. Uncertainty regarding safety of filter material if breathed in, see note below. Reuse/Disinfection ★★★ Unclear. Tutorial states mask can be washed by hand. However, we are not aware of studies showing effectiveness of washing Filtrete air filters. We recommend following guidance related to N-95 masks .

Tutorial warns about ensuring the filter used is not fiberglass, as this can be dangerous if inhaled. We recommend a single layer of cotton between filter material and face.

Dimension Rank Comments Tools ★★★ 3D Printer, scissors Materials ★★★ PLA Filament, filter material (HEPA Filter), elastic band or thin rope Comfort ★★ Heat-formed PLA against face Protection ★★★★ Dependent on cloth filter material but HEPA specified. Good seal if warn tight. Due to ridged-edge PLA may break seal while talking. Reuse/Disinfection ★★★★★ Mask can be washed and filter replaced.

Very details instructions with multiple size mask files and great reference material.

Dimension Rank Comments Tools ★★★★★ Scissors, Marker, Ruler Materials ★★★★★ Cotton t-shirt Comfort ★★★ Soft but dense fabric worn tight around face. Stuffy. Protection ★★★ Dependent on cloth material and number of layers. Good seal but requires practice. Reuse/Disinfection ★★★★★ Mask can be easily washed.

Dimension Rank Comments Tools ★★★ 3D Printer, scissors Materials ★★★ PLA Filament, cloth, large rubber band Comfort ★★ Heat-formed PLA against face Protection ★★ Dependent on cloth filter material. Press-fit fabric design limits filter thickness. Good seal if warn very tight. Due to ridged-edge PLA may break seal while talking. Reuse/Disinfection ★★★★★ Mask and filter can be washed without damage.

Simple 3D print design, minimal post-processing

Dimension Rank Comments Tools ★★★ Sewing Machine, scissors, wire-cutters Materials ★★ Cotton fabric, filter material, non-fusible interfacing, wire, thread Comfort ★★★★ Soft cloth against face Protection ★★★ Dependent on cloth and filter. Good seal. Reuse/Disinfection ★★★★★ Mask can be washed, filter replaced

Dimension Rank Comments Tools ★★★ Glue-gun, scissors, ruler, pen Materials ★★★ Cotton fabric, MERV-13 Filter from furnace filter, aluminium-foil, rubber bands, maxi-pad Comfort ★★★★ soft cloth against face, tie around head Protection ★★★ Dependent on filter but MERV-13 specified. OK seal. Reuse/Disinfection ★ Filter will capture particles but its glued into cloth. Re-use not recommended unless sterilized in heat for prolonged periods of time.

Waterproof maxi-pad layer is a critical flaw, otherwise good design with limited tools. Due to potential of harmful substances (like fiberglass) in some HEPA/furnace filters, it’s a good idea to place a layer of tight weave cotton or other known-safe material between your face and the HEPA/furnace filter material.

Dimension Rank Comments Tools ★★ Knife, pliers, box cutter, frying pan, scissors, iron, ruler Materials ★★ (1) big PET bottle, (1) medium PET Bottle, (2) small PET bottles, filter material, contact cement, strip foam, silicon glue/sealant, marker, elastic bands Comfort ★★★ Soft foam against face, elastic around head. Protection ★★ Without forming plastic to face good seal is unlikely. Filer efficiency dependent on material. Reuse/Disinfection ★★ Can be washed but foam tape may come off.

Lots of materials and tools but mostly common and easy to come by. Instructions are in Spanish but very good visual instructions. Creative!

Another bottle respirator design requiring so many tools and materials im not going to bother listing it. This guy is having fun.

Dimension Rank Comments Tools ★★ 3D Printer, scissors, glue gun (optional) Materials ★★ PLA Filament, Cotton fabric, filter material, glue, elastic bands or string Comfort ★★★★ heat-molded PLA with soft cloth against face Protection ★★★ Dependent on cloth and filter. Good seal if properly heat-formed to face. Reuse/Disinfection ★★ Mask can be sprayed with disinfectant and left to sit but not washed.

Fast to print and assemble if 3D Printer bed is larger than 8.5in.

Dimension Rank Comments Tools ★★★★★ None! Materials ★★★★★ t-shirt, paper towels Comfort ★★★ paper towel pressed firmly against face Protection ★★ Poor seal around nose. Due to tight face wrap better than ‘surgical mask’ type fabric mask. Reuse/Disinfection ★★★★ Shirt can be washed, paper towel discarded

Addition of paper towel for moisture absorption is good idea for this design. If HEPA filter material is available, insertion between t-shirt layers combined with better nose seal would greatly increase filtration efficacy. Due to potential of harmful substances (like fiberglass) in some HEPA filters, it’s a good ideal to place a layer of cotton or other known-safe material between your face and the HEPA filter material.

Dimension Rank Comments Tools ★★★★★ None! Materials ★★★★ handkerchief, Hair Tie Comfort ★★★ soft fabric against face, elastic band pulling ears Protection ★ Poor seal, poor filter. Better than nothing. Reuse/Disinfection ★★★★★ Mask can be washed

Here is good video tutorial of this design.

Dimension Rank Comments Tools ★★★ 3D Printer, Knife Materials ★★★ PLA printer filament, Simolex mask gasket, rubber band, elastic strap Comfort ★★★★ soft rubber against face, chord around head Protection ★★★★ good seal, filter material dependent Reuse/Disinfection ★★★★ Mask can be washed, filter discarded

Dimension Rank Comments Tools ★★★ Sewing machine, scissors, pliers, iron Materials ★★★ fabric, thread, wire, elastic chord Comfort ★★★ soft fabric against face, chord around ears Protection ★★ OK seal, poor filter Reuse/Disinfection ★★★★★ Mask can be washed

Detailed but wordy build instructions.

Dimension Rank Comments Tools ★★★★ Scissors Materials ★★★ Cotton T-Shirt, Filter material, cloths pin Comfort ★★★★ soft fabric against face Protection ★★★ OK seal if warn tightly, poor seal around nose if not careful. OK filter when multiple filter layers combined with shirt. Reuse/Disinfection ★★★★★ Mask can be washed, filter material discarded

A simplified variation of the Simple Respiratory Mask.

Dimension Rank Comments Tools ★★★★ hole puncher, scissors Materials ★★★ Paper towels, tissue, masking tape, binder clips rubber bands, clear thin plastic, glasses Comfort ★★★★ soft paper towl against face Protection ★★★ poor seal and filter but combined with face-shield provides OK protection Reuse/Disinfection ★★ Mask is discarded, plastic can be washed or sprayed

Many materials but all common. Common tools.

Is paper towel effective at blocking viruses?

Dimension Rank Comments Tools ★★★ sewing machine, thread, pencil, scissors, ruler Materials ★★★ fabric, fusible interfacing, elastic bands Comfort ★★★★★ soft fabric against face, elastic around head. Protection ★ poor seal and filter Reuse/Disinfection ★★★★★ Mask can be washed

Common materials if you already sew. While these masks are not for personal protection from virus, at a population level they make a difference by preventing droplet spread.

Dimension Rank Comments Tools ★★★ Sewing machine, scissors, ruler Materials ★★★★ fabric, thread Comfort ★★★★★ soft fabric against face, fabric ties around head. Protection ★ poor seal and filter Reuse/Disinfection ★★★★★ Mask can be washed

A good video tutorial (to the point and clear) on how to make fabric sewn masks quickly. While these masks are not for personal protection from virus, at a population level they make a difference by preventing droplet spread.

Dimension Rank Comments Tools ★ 3D Printer, Soldering Iron Materials ★★★ PLA Filament, Kitchen Towl, Elastic bands or string ties Comfort ★★★★ soft fabric against face, elastic around head. Seal and filter makes it a bit stuffy. Protection ★★★ Filter and cloth dependent. Good seal if properly heat-formed to face and chin ridge sealed. Reuse/Disinfection ★★★ Mask can be washed in soap and water and left to dry

Heat-welding requires soldering iron, which is rare tool for many. Disinfection requires leaving mask for prolonged periods to dry.

Dimension Rank Comments Tools ★★★ Sewing machine, scissors Materials ★★★ Thread, elastic bands, soft flexible plastic i.e. vinyl Comfort ★★★ Soft fabric on face, elastic around head. Plastic limits ventilation. Protection ★★ Good seal, filter is fabric dependent. Design limits ventilation or ability for removable filter inserts so protection is limited Reuse/Disinfection ★★★★ can be washed

No instructions or build page provided but not hard to figure out. Great mask idea for those needing to interact with individuals who are hard of hearing and need to see lips moving. “your mask protects me, my mask protects you”

Dimension Rank Comments Tools ★★★★ Stapler Materials ★★★★ Bra, staples, elastic bands (if not already on bra) Comfort ★★★ Bra cup against face, elastic pulling ears Protection ★★ Seal around nose needs improvement. Bra filtering ability uncertain. Reuse/Disinfection ★★★★ can be washed

Two masks per bra and comes in multiple sizes A, B, C, D! leave it to the french. Incognito sunglasses and hat recommended when wearing this.

Dimension Rank Comments Tools ★★★★ Stapler, Scissors Materials ★★★★★ Tissue paper (napkin, paper towl, etc), staples, rubber bands Comfort ★★★ Tissue paper on face, rubber bands around ears Protection ★ Poor seal, Poor filter Reuse/Disinfection ★ Cannot be re-used.

Dimension Rank Comments Tools ★★★★ Scissors Materials ★★★★ Large clear plastic bottle, tape, filter material Comfort ★ Hard plastic edge on neck. Head in a bottle. Protection ★★ Poor seal but has a face shield Reuse/Disinfection ★★★ Bottle can be washed but tape may come unstuck.

Dimension Rank Comments Tools ★ sewing machine, sharp point, drill and drill bits, tweezers, sanding paper, marker, hole punch Materials ★ Large clear plastic bottle, medium clear plastic bottle, (3) plastic bottle lids, (4) small machine screws with (8) nuts, cord with cord lock, elastic band (2) rubber bands, latex glove, activated carbon, fabric bag, filter material Comfort ★★★ stiff fabric around neck, head in bottle Protection ★★★ good seal with face shield but poor filter. Activated charcoal is good for chemical adsorption but likely not virus. Reuse/Disinfection ★★ could be washed and filter material replaced but lots of parts to come undone.

Did you know that creativity reduces stress?

DIY Filter Materials

What Are The Best Materials for Making DIY Masks?

Standardized Synthesis of Face Masks as a Harm Reduction Strategy in Times of PPEShortage – COVID-19

If you cannot find special-purpose filter fabric, you can still make a reasonably effective mask. You must strike a balance between high filter efficiency (keep virus out) and low pressure (keep you breathing). If you have a new hepa filter material, this is ideal. Multiple layers of dense cotton will work. Soaking the outermost layer in a concentrated salt solution and allowing to dry may increase effectiveness against virus through de-activation. (see referenced paper below)

If you use, for example, a vacuum cleaner bag then it will have high efficiency at filtering particles but you may not be able to breath, provided your mask has a good seal–this renders the mask useless. Achieving high particle filtration while maintaining breathability is a hard problem without specialized materials. However, outside of a hospital setting, some protection is better than no protection.

If you are not planning on using the mask in a clinical setting or you are not in close proximity to an infected individual, you do not need to risk contracting the virus by going shopping for filter materials if you have something that is ‘good enough’ in your home already. If you are under state, county or city orders to shelter in place…don’t go shopping.

To achieve “N95 compliance”, in addition to a really good face seal, a MERV 13 or higher filter material can be used.

“Medical masks and N95 respirator are widely used to protect against airborne diseases such as tuberculosis, SARS, MERS, avian and swine flues, and the recent emerging coronavirus (COVID-19). The filtration layer of these masks is made of meltblown (MB) PP (polypropylene) nonwoven electret – electrostatically charged media”…[read more]

Assembling and Using a Mask

Thanks to Creativation over at Reddit for this thorough guidance. [go to

Disinfect working surfaces and surfaces hands will touch. Ensure clean/sterile materials. Disinfect as necessary. Disinfect hands with hand sanitizer or wash with soap and water. Assemble mask / face covering. Keep mask from touching potentially contaminated surfaces or objects prior to usage.

Upon returning back from a non-safe zone with a mask:

When removing mask avoid touching surfaces on the mask/covering that are likely to be contaminated and avoid inadvertently letting the mask touch otherwise “sterile” surfaces / objects. Handle the used mask in a working zone that can be disinfected after usage. Disinfect the mask in this zone or where possible place directly into a washing machine and wash with detergent. If disinfection is not immediately possible then place the mask in a plastic sealable sack until possible. Disinfect the working zone. Disinfect any surfaces in and around one’s safe zone that were touched while entering back into the safe zone. Disinfect hands with hand sanitizer or wash with soap and water.

Please see this page for more up-to-date information on precautions for mask assembly and use.