The Viral TikTok Tape Mug Magic Trick, Explained

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Learn to magically wrap your taped fingers around a mug handle

Co-authored by David Martinez and Amy Bobinger, BA

Last Updated: July 19, 2025 Fact Checked

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• What is the trick about?
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• How to Do It
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• More Magic Tricks
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• Video

|Show more |Show less

If you’ve been on TikTok lately, you’ve probably seen the viral Tape Mug Magic Trick, where someone somehow wraps their taped fingers around a mug handle. How do they do it? It’s magic! Well, okay—maybe not. It’s an illusion, and we’re here to show you exactly how to do it!

How do you do the TikTok tape mug magic trick?

1. Wrap a piece of tape around your finger and thumb.
2. Hold your hand so your thumb is facing toward you.
3. Slide your thumb out of the tape as subtly as possible.
4. Wrap your thumb around the mug handle.
5. Slide your thumb back into the tape without letting the audience see.

Steps

Section 1 of 3:

What is the tape mug magic trick?

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1. 
   In this trick, a person appears to wrap their taped fingers around a mug handle. First, the person doing the trick wraps opaque tape (like duct tape, electrical tape, or painter’s tape) around their thumb and forefinger. Then, they hold their taped fingers next to a regular mug handle. In one quick motion, they appear to slide their taped fingers around the handle of the mug. Their thumb and forefinger (still taped) are on opposite sides of the mug handle, so it looks like the handle went straight through the tape.

   • This classic trick has recently been trending on TikTok thanks to the popularity of videos like this one from @brookemonk and this one from @nataliiereynolds. (There are claims that Natalie Reynolds copied the video posted by Brooke Monk, which is likely helping fuel this viral moment.)
   • Other popular versions of the tape mug trick include this one from TikToker @calebnandrea.
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Section 2 of 3:

How to Do the Tape Mug Magic Trick

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1. 
   1
   Hold your thumb and index finger in a circle as you wrap the tape. That way, the tape won’t be too tight, and it will be easier to remove your thumb. Make sure the tape looks like it’s wrapped tightly—that will create a better illusion.

   • Some people slip a small plastic ring around the tip of their thumb before doing the trick. That way, the tape will be attached to the ring instead of their skin, making it easier to get out of the tape.
   • You can also coat the back of your thumb in something like lip balm or lotion so it will slip easily out of the tape.
   • If you have one, you can use a fake thumb tip to make the illusion look even more real.
   • This TikTok tutorial from @_shokalka_ features a good demonstration of how to do the trick.
2. 
   2
   Hold your thumb so it’s hidden by your hand. Hold the mug in your untaped hand, with the handle of the mug facing inward. Hold your taped hand so your finger and thumb are pointing at the mug handle. Be sure your thumb is facing toward your body—the audience won’t be able to see it behind the rest of your hand.

   • Keep your middle, ring, and pinky fingers closed so they’ll hide your thumb.
   • It may help to rotate your hand inward so your thumb is slightly beneath your index finger.
3. 
   3
   Slide your thumb out of the tape and into the mug handle. In one smooth motion, slip your thumb out of the tape and wrap your index finger and thumb around the mug handle. Tuck your thumb back into the tape with as little movement as possible so the audience won’t be able to see.

   • Try not to move your wrist or bend your thumb as you do this, or the audience will be able to see.
   • Add a bit of flair by tapping the mug handle against your taped fingers a few times before you perform the trick.
4. 
   4
   Hold up your hand and show the audience your fingers. With your thumb firmly back inside the tape, hold up your index finger and thumb to show that the mug handle has “gone through” the tape. Voila!
5. 
   5
   Change up the trick by using other objects instead of a mug. Don’t be afraid to get creative! You can use any narrow object for this illusion, including:

   • A pencil or pen
   • Narrow roll of tape
   • Bangle bracelet or metal ring
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Section 3 of 3:

More Magic Tricks You Can Try

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1. 
   Can’t get enough magic? We get it! It’s so much fun to dazzle family and friends with tricks they just can’t explain. Once you’ve mastered this one, check out a few more of our favorite magic trick tutorials:

   • Start with these simple tricks for beginners, like making a coin disappear into thin air.
   • Try these magic card tricks that only require a standard deck of cards, like finding someone’s card in the deck.
   • Amaze your audience with these simple rubber band tricks, like making a rubber band look like it teleports from your fingers to being wrapped around your phone.
   • Pretend you’re a telepath with these mind-reading tricks, like predicting whose name will be drawn from a hat.
   • Make an object look like it’s floating in mid-air with these levitating tricks.
   • Trick your family and friends into thinking you can move objects with your mind using these telekinesis tricks.
   • Use these math tricks to make it seem like you magically know what number someone is thinking of!
   • Level up your magic skills by making a person disappear!

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