Wooden Phone Stands with Angled Grooves for Video Calls

5 min read

A wooden phone stand holds your phone at the right angle for video calls, so you do not have to prop it against a stack of books or hold it for an hour. An angled groove cradles the phone securely, and the wood looks far better on a desk than plastic. This project uses a single small board, a few basic cuts, and sanding. You can build one in an afternoon, even if you are new to woodworking. The stand in this guide fits most phones, with or without a case, and works in both portrait and landscape orientation.

The angle of the groove matters more than anything else in this project. A groove cut at about 65 to 70 degrees from the base holds the phone upright enough to see the screen clearly, while keeping the center of gravity low so the phone does not tip. A groove that is too steep makes the phone slide forward; one that is too shallow makes the screen hard to see. This guide uses a simple wedge design: a flat base with a slot cut at an angle, plus a small lip at the front to stop the phone from sliding.

Choose a hardwood offcut, such as

• oak
• walnut
• maple, about 2 centimeters thick

Hardwood holds the groove crisply and feels solid.

Marking and Cutting the Stand

Start with a board about 12 centimeters wide, 10 centimeters deep, and 2 centimeters thick. Mark the groove across the width of the board, about 3 centimeters from the front edge. The groove should be about 8 millimeters wide, which fits most phones and cases. Use a protractor or an angle gauge to mark the groove at 65 degrees from the base. Draw the lines clearly on both sides of the board so you can check the angle as you cut. You will also need a small lip at the front: leave a raised ridge about 8 millimeters tall at the very front edge, which stops the phone from sliding forward. Mark the lip line about 1 centimeter from the front edge.

Cut the groove with a handsaw or a table saw, following the angled lines. If you use a handsaw, clamp the board firmly and cut slowly, checking the angle often. If you use a table saw, tilt the blade to 65 degrees and set the fence to cut the groove in two passes. Clean out the groove with a chisel, working carefully to keep the walls straight. Test the fit with your phone: it should slide into the groove and sit at a comfortable viewing angle. If the phone wobbles, deepen the groove slightly. If it sits too upright, widen the angle a little. Small adjustments now make a big difference in daily use.

Sanding, Shaping, and Finishing

Sand the stand starting with 120-grit sandpaper, then 220-grit, then 320-grit for a smooth finish. Round the front corners slightly so the stand feels comfortable to handle. Sand inside the groove with a folded piece of sandpaper, keeping the walls straight. Remove all dust with a tack cloth or a damp rag, and let the wood dry. Apply a food-safe finish such as mineral oil or a hardwax oil, which brings out the grain and protects the wood from moisture. Apply two thin coats, letting each coat dry fully and sanding lightly between coats with 320-grit paper. A good finish makes the stand look polished and keeps it from staining.

For extra grip, stick a small piece of cork or felt to the underside of the base so the stand does not slide on a desk. You can also glue a thin strip of felt inside the groove to protect the phone from scratches. Let the glue dry fully before use. Check the stand on a flat desk: it should not rock. If it rocks, sand the high spot on the base until it sits flat. A well-finished stand feels solid, looks like a small piece of furniture, and holds your phone at exactly the right angle for a call.

Variations and Everyday Use

Once you have made a basic stand, try variations. Cut a second groove at a lower angle for watching videos, so one stand serves two purposes. Add a small hole in the back for a charging cable, so the phone charges while it stands. Make a wider stand for a tablet by scaling the board to 20 centimeters wide and cutting the groove wider. You can also personalize the stand by burning initials into the base with a wood-burning pen, or by using contrasting woods for the base and the lip. A set of matching stands in different sizes makes a thoughtful gift for a home office.

A wooden phone stand is a small project with daily value. It keeps your phone visible and steady during calls, and it clears clutter from your desk. To care for it, wipe it with a damp cloth and reapply oil every few months if the wood looks dry. Avoid leaving it in direct sunlight, which can fade the finish. Woodworking projects like this one are satisfying because they combine measuring, cutting, and finishing into one short build. Each stand you make will be a little cleaner than the last, and the skill transfers to larger projects like shelves and boxes.

There is more where this came from — the guides below continue the topic, starting with How to Build a Wooden Key Cabinet with a Small Door.

Related Articles:

• How to Build a Wooden Key Cabinet with a Small Door
• How to Build a Wooden Bird Bath with a Pedestal Base
• How to Make a Wooden Recipe Holder