How to make a split-flap video in three steps
- Type your message. One or more lines of up to 13 characters. Short works best: a phrase, a name, a date, a “yes”.
- Hit Create video. The board spins for about 11 seconds in your browser. Nothing is uploaded anywhere: the video is made on your own phone or computer.
- Save or share. On a phone, the Share button sends it straight to TikTok, Instagram or WhatsApp. On a computer it downloads as a video file.
What people use it for
Anything that is better said by making people wait: a gender reveal, a trip announcement, a wedding date, a birthday, an “I love you” or a “we are moving”. And the everyday side too: the café’s menu of the day, this week’s offer, summer opening hours or Monday’s motivational line. An airport board that spins and clicks makes a three-word message feel like an event.
The trick is the choreography: the flaps spin at full speed and, towards the end, the letters stop one by one, in random order. Viewers try to guess the line before it finishes. That small mystery is what gets the video watched to the end, and on social, watched to the end is what counts.
The split-flap board, from Solari to your phone
Flip-flap boards were invented by the Italian firm Solari in the 1950s for stations and airports. Their sound, that cascading clack-clack, is one of the few machine noises people remember fondly. Few real ones remain; we reproduce them in software with the same cadence and the same double click. The full story is in History of the split-flap display.
What about the screen in your business?
This maker is the pocket version of Flappit. The full version turns the TV you already have at reception, in your hotel lobby, café or gym into a permanent split-flap board: welcome messages, the menu, class schedules, today’s event, “flapped” photos. Managed from your phone, nothing to install, from €19/month with a 7-day free trial. Details in the airport-style board guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is it really free?
Yes. The video is rendered in your own browser, no sign-up or card. It carries a small flappit.com/video mark under the message.
Does it work for TikTok, Instagram and WhatsApp?
Yes. It is vertical 9:16 at 1080×1920, lasts about 11 seconds and keeps clear of the areas where TikTok and Instagram overlay their buttons. On WhatsApp it sends like any video.
Why are the letters revealed at the end?
It is the “mystery” choreography: the board spins for a few seconds and the letters stop one by one in random order, so viewers stay until the end to read the message.
Does it work on my phone?
Yes, on iPhone and Android with an up-to-date Safari or Chrome. On phones a Share button also appears to send it straight to Instagram, TikTok or WhatsApp. If your browser cannot record video, we will tell you when you press the button.
Can I change colours, size or remove the mark?
You can choose the colour of the letters and the flaps. The FLAPPIT.COM mark stays in the free version; if you need unbranded videos or other formats, write to hello@flappit.com.
Can I put this on the screen in my business?
Yes. Flappit is the same split-flap board for the TV in a reception, hotel lobby, café or gym, managed from your phone, from €19/month with a 7-day free trial.