Can I put my Smartphone on a Tripod?

Updated on Gear

Putting your smartphone on a tripod while shooting your favorite images should have plenty of advantages, but is it possible? We dove into the world of tripods and found this answer for you.

Generally, you can put your smartphone on any tripod with a universal 1/4-20 screw by using a Smartphone Tripod Mount with the same size female receptacle.

A tripod mount and a what screw? Don’t worry. We will take you on an exciting journey through tripod mount adapter land and tell you exactly how to choose the right gear for your phone. 

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The gear I used for writing this blog can be found on my favorite gear page.

How exactly does your smartphone fit on a Tripod?

You need a tripod mount adapter where you can safely clip your phone in. This should be a sturdy connection, so your phone is securely fastened.

This mount typically has a 1/4″ female receptacle, which is compatible with the 1/4-20 screw of the tripod. Larger tripods, also used for DSLR cameras, usually have a 3/8-16 screw. In this case, you will need an adapter or a phone mount that fits the 3/8″ size tripod.

When you buy a mount for your mobile phone, please be aware of the size differences. Shopping for the right tripod mount can be difficult. But if you pay attention to the size of the mount, the quality of the holder, and the diameter of the screw and female receptacle, it should be a pleasant buying experience.

Ailun Tripod Phone Mount Holder

3/8-16 and 1/4-20 screw sizes explained

Let’s take a closer look at the screw sizes of the different tripods. What do the annotations mean?

  • Size 3/8-16: this screw is 3/8 inches in diameter, with 16 threads per inch.
  • Size 1/4-20: this screw is 1/4 inches in diameter, with 20 threads per inch.

Obviously, a 3/8 inch screw needs a 3/8 female receptacle to make a reliable connection. You can, for example, measure this by using a caliper.

Which mount adapter will fit my phone?

There are many different smartphone mounts on the market. Most of them can fit many different sizes of mobiles. We think choosing a fully adaptable mount is the way to go. So when you change your mobile, your mount probably still fits perfectly. And if you have more than one smartphone in your photography equipment, you are good to go as well.

Here are some fully adaptable mounts to consider:

MeFOTO SideKick360 Smartphone Tripod Mount-Stand-Holder

  • best quality tip
  • high-quality materials used
  • 360 degrees ball joint
  • universal mounting
    (both 1/4″ and 3/8″)
  • different sizes available
  • usable without a tripod
  • different colors available

You can find more information and current prices here.

Vastar Tripod Phone Mount

  • my choice
  • usable both horizontal and vertical
  • 1/4″ screw size
  • mobile phone clip size 2.2-4.1″
  • made of plastic
  • two-way use

You can find more information and prices on the Vastar Phone Mount Tripod Adapter here.

SharingMoment Premium Smartphone Holder

  • best budget tip
  • 360-degree rotation
  • 1/4″ screw size
  • mobile phone clip size 2.2-4.1″
  • quality aluminum

You can find more information on the SharingMoment Premium Smartphone Holder here.

Ulanzi ST-04 Aluminum Smartphone Tripod Mount Adapter

  • best value for money
  • 360-degree rotation
  • 1/4″ screw size
  • mobile phone clip size 2.4-3.7″
  • high-quality aluminum
  • can be used without a tripod

You can find more information and prices on the Ulanzi ST-04 Mount Adapter here.

Does the phone mount fit my tripod?

It depends on the size of the male output (screw) on your tripod, whether your new smartphone mount fits. Before you buy a mount adapter, measure the diameter of the screw with a caliper. When the size of the male output fits the female receptacle, you will have a perfect match.

Ok, you’ve got the right sizes. Now we have to check the weight and size of your phone. It has to match the capabilities of the tripod. A large smartphone needs a larger tripod, so it won’t tip over when you use your new tripod setup. You can find out more about how to choose the right tripod or monopod in this blog post.

Why should I use a smartphone mount?

Using a cell phone tripod mount makes the possibilities in the world of smartphone photography endless. You can shoot selfies without holding your phone, you can film your own vlog, and you can take macro photos with a steady underground. The sharpness of your photos will much improve.

Is a monopod comparable to a tripod when it comes to mounts?

Most monopods come with a universal thread mount of 1/4″. That means you can use the same Smartphone mount with a female receptacle on a monopod as you would do on a tripod. 

A monopod is a one-legged support system for your camera. In our case, a smartphone camera. The monopods are like most tripods, collapsable, and available in different styles and sizes. The best-known monopod in smartphone photography is, of course, the selfie-stick. 

Easy solution: Go for the all-in-one phone tripods

So did you enjoy your digital tour through the world of smartphone mounts for tripods? Or is it still hard to decide what mount will fit which tripod? Again, you don’t need to worry. You can always go for an all-in-one smartphone tripod. The biggest advantage? You don’t have to figure out what size tripod connector you need to fit your phone mount. If you have the dimensions of your smartphone, you cannot go wrong here. The biggest downside? It might not fit your future phone. You can find our top 3 tripods on our recommended gear page. 

Here are some all-in-one smartphone tripods to make it really easy to find the right accessory. You can read more about them on my favorite gear page. 

Budget Choice tripod for smartphones

Acuvar 50″ Inch Aluminum Camera Tripod with Universal Smartphone Mount

  • Extendable 50″ inch tripod, minimum height 16.75″
  • 2 section aluminum alloy legs
  • Padded grip to securely hold your cellphone
  • Bubble level indicator
  • 3-way pan head with tilt motion
  • Wireless remote control
  • Min phone mount width: 2.3″
  • Max phone mount width: 3.5″

You can find more information about the Acuvar Camera Tripod with Smartphone Mount here.

Budget Choice Tripod for Smartphones

UBeesize Portable and Adjustable Camera Stand Holder

  • 10″ inch tripod (cannot extend)
  • Flexible tripod legs (to hang around a pole or tree branch)
  • Not extendable
  • Min phone mount width: 2.25″
  • Max phone mount width: 3.75″

You can find more information about the Ubeesize Camera Stand Holder here.

Our Choice Tripod for Smartphones

Erligpowht Flexible Cell Phone Tripod

  • Decent price for a beginner photographer
  • With wireless remote control
  • Flexible tripod legs (to hang around a pole or tree branch)
  • Not extendable
    360 degrees rotatable (ball head)
  • Min phone mount width: 2.3″
  • Max phone mount width: 3.75″

You can find more information about the Erligpowht Flexible Cell Phone Tripod here.

Premium Choice Tripod for Smartphones

Joby Gorillapod 3K

You can find more information about this Premium Choice Tripod for Smartphones here.

Final Thoughts

So it is possible to use your smartphone on a tripod. You just need the right equipment. We hope you will find a great tripod to use on your smartphone photography adventures. Whether you like to take selfies on Instagram or spend hours in de woods taking the best photos of a foggy morning, a tripod or monopod will come in handy.

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