How to Roll a Cigarette With a Cigarette Roller

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: September 10, 2024 Tested

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Rolled cigarettes are increasingly popular because they are significantly cheaper than pre-made ones. Rolling your own cigarette is much easier with a rolling machine. This device is simple to operate and you should be a pro in no time. Just open up the roller and fill it with tobacco. Then click the roller closed and insert the rolling paper. Spin the two rails so the paper wraps around the tobacco, and then you'll have a freshly-rolled cigarette.

Best Way to Roll a Cigarette at Home

Click the roller into the down position and tuck a filter into one side. Feed tobacco into the roller until it's full, spread the tobacco in an even layer, and click the roller into the up position. Spin the top rail down and the bottom rail up, then insert the rolling paper to finish rolling your cigarette.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Loading Tobacco into the Roller

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Cigarette rollers have an up and down position. The down position opens up the mechanism so you can load tobacco in. Press down on one of the rails and slide it down until it clicks. This is the down position.^{[1]
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Note that only one of the rails shifts position and the other one is locked in place. Don’t try to force the other rail into moving or you could break the roller.
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Place a filter at one end of the roller for a safer cigarette. Using a filter is not required for rolling a cigarette, but it is recommended for health reasons. Take a loose cigarette filter and tuck it into the roller. Slide it all the way over to one side. Don’t leave any room between the filter and the edge of the roller or your cigarette will be too small.^{[2]
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- Filters are important for filtering out some of the harmful chemicals that come from tobacco. While you can roll a cigarette without a filter, smoking cigarettes is more dangerous if you leave the filter off.^{[3]
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Scoop enough tobacco for 1 cigarette into the roller. Grab some tobacco out of the bag and feed it into the roller. Fill the pocket of the roller up to the rails. Don’t go above the rails or the cigarette will be overpacked.^{[4]
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- Don’t try to press or pack the tobacco too tightly or the cigarette will be difficult to smoke. When the roller is filled up to the rails, don’t try to stuff more tobacco in.
- It might take some trial and error to get the amount right at first. Add or take out tobacco as you need to until you figure out the correct amount.
Don’t let tobacco bunch up or concentrate in different areas. This could rip the rolling paper. Use your finger and even out the tobacco so it makes a uniform surface.
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Click the roller into the up position. This closes the roller and secures the tobacco inside. Pick away any tobacco coming up through the rails. Don’t leave any residue on top of the rails.
- To check how big your cigarette will be, look at the side of the roller and look at the amount of tobacco in the chamber. If the cigarette looks too big or small to you, open the roller back up and adjust the amount of tobacco.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Rolling the Paper

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1
Spin the roller down with your thumbs and up with your index fingers. Hold the roller with both hands longways between your thumbs and index fingers. Then simultaneously roll down with your thumbs and up with your index fingers. Do one complete, 360-degree turn. This tightens the tobacco in preparation for inserting the rolling paper.^{[5]
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- Make sure you use both your thumbs and index fingers to roll at the same time. If you only roll from one side, the cigarette will the too tight and uneven.
- Some rollers have a marking on the top of each rail that help you see when you’ve made a complete turn. If your roller has these markings, use them to judge how much you've rolled.
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Insert the rolling paper with the adhesive strip on top and facing you. Take a strip of rolling paper insert it into the top of the roller between the 2 rails. Press the paper down a bit so the rails catch it when you roll. Leave the adhesive tape strip facing you so the cigarette seals properly.
- If you can't tell which side has the adhesive strip, hold the paper up to the light. The strip is reflective and looks shiny.
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Spin the roller until just the adhesive strip is sticking out. Use the same motion as before with your thumb and index fingers. The paper will slowly insert into the roller if it catches. Roll until just the adhesive strip sticks out.^{[6]
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- It may take a few tries for the rolling paper to catch when you start rolling. If you’re spinning the rails but the paper isn’t catching, try pulling the paper out and resetting it.
- If you roll too far and the adhesive strip goes into the roller, open the roller up and take the paper out.
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Lick the adhesive strip and finish rolling the cigarette. The moisture activates the glue on the adhesive strip so the cigarette seals. Then spin the roller a bit further so the strip adheres to the rest of the cigarette.
- You don’t have to do a complete turn. Spin until the adhesive strip completely enters the roller and then spin a bit more.
- If you don't want to lick the paper, wet your finger a little under the faucet and run it across the adhesive strip.
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Open up the roller and remove the cigarette. When you’ve finished spinning the roller, click it back into the down position to open the chamber. Turn the roller upside down to retrieve your freshly-rolled cigarette.^{[7]
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- Try again if the cigarette is lumpy or uneven. It may take a few tries to get the rolling motion down perfectly.
- If the paper rips, you probably used too much tobacco. Open up the cigarette and try again with less tobacco.

Common Questions: Tips to Roll Your Own Cigarette

Can you roll a cigarette with normal paper?

Yes, it’s possible but not recommended. Rolling paper is very thin and designed to burn evenly and release less smoke. If you absolutely need to use normal paper, make sure it’s as thin as possible, doesn’t have any ink printed on it, and does not have a wax or plastic coating.^{[8]
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What tobacco should I use for cigarette tubes?

Choose a high-quality hand rolling tobacco that’s specifically labeled for use in cigarette tubes. Open the packet and let the tobacco dry out for a few hours to make the tubing a lot easier. In terms of flavor, it’s up to you—pick a blend that’s mild, strong, or somewhere in between!^{[9]
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Is rolling tobacco healthier than cigarettes?

No, rolling tobacco has more additives than manufactured cigarettes, including flavorings and humectants to keep the tobacco from drying out.^{[10]
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Research source} These additives make the toxic smoke feel less harmful than it actually is, which may cause you to smoke more than usual. Rolled cigarettes have similar levels of nicotine and carcinogens as regular cigarettes, especially if you don’t use a filter.^{[11]
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