How to Make a Whiteboard Animation With Stick Figures

Updated: October 22, 2026 | By Stick Figure Labs | Reading time: 7 minutes

Whiteboard animation, also called a doodle or explainer video, shows drawings appearing on a white board while a narrator talks. Stick figures are a natural fit: they are quick to draw, easy to read, and they keep attention on the explanation. This guide covers the full process and the tools you can use, including free ones.

Step 1: Write a Script for Your Whiteboard Video

Keep it tight. Most whiteboard explainers are 60 to 180 seconds, which is roughly 150 to 450 words of narration. Use short sentences and one idea per sentence, because each sentence often becomes one drawing.

Step 2: Break the Script Into Scenes

Go through the script and give every scene a visual sentence: "presenter points at a lightbulb", "two figures argue over a coin", "graph goes up". If a scene needs more than three or four drawings, split it. A quick stick figure storyboard helps you see the whole video before you build it.

Step 3: Create Your Stick Figure Assets

• Presenter: build one main character in the stick figure maker and export Neutral, Happy, Shocked, and Sus expressions as transparent PNGs.
• Supporting characters: give each a signature outfit or hat so they are easy to tell apart, such as a Lab Coat for an expert or a Suit for a boss.
• Line style: keep Sketchiness around 1 for a hand-drawn marker look, and use thicker lines if the video will be watched on phones.
• Poses: for pointing or walking, set up the same character in the stickman pose maker and drag its joints.
• Props and labels: simple icons such as arrows, lightbulbs, coins, charts, and hand-written words.

Step 4: Choose a Whiteboard Animation Tool

If you are just starting, PowerPoint or a free video editor is enough. Switch to a dedicated app only if you make whiteboard videos regularly.

Step 5: Animate Each Scene

1. Start with a plain white or light-gray background.
2. Place the presenter first, then reveal props and labels in the order the narrator mentions them.
3. Make each reveal last about half a second to two seconds. Faster feels snappy; slower feels calm.
4. Swap expressions on key words, for example from Neutral to Shocked on a surprising number.
5. Clear the board, or slide the camera to a new area, to move to the next scene.

Step 6: Add Voiceover, Music, and Export

Record the narration before you finalize timing, then line up every reveal with the words it illustrates. Add quiet background music and an optional marker sound effect for each reveal. Export at 1080p for YouTube, social media, or presentations.

Tips for Better Stick Figure Explainer Videos

• One idea per scene. Crowded boards are hard to follow.
• Use color sparingly. Black lines with one accent color draw the eye to what matters.
• Keep the presenter consistent. Same outfit, colors, and line width in every scene.
• Leave white space. Empty board is what makes each new drawing noticeable.

FAQ

Can I make a whiteboard animation for free?

Yes. Make stick figure PNGs in a free generator, then use PowerPoint, Google Slides with a screen recorder, or a free video editor like CapCut or DaVinci Resolve to reveal them.

How long does a whiteboard animation take to make?

A simple 60-second video with reused characters can take a few hours once you have a workflow. Most of the time goes into the script and timing, not the drawings.

Should I use SVG or PNG for whiteboard videos?

Use transparent PNG inside video editors and presentations. Keep the SVG as a master in case you need to edit poses or colors. See the PNG vs SVG export guide for details.