A method of making a field emitter includes following steps. A carbon nanotube layer is provided, and the carbon nanotube layer includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other. A carbon nanotube composite layer is formed via electroplating a first metal layer on the first surface and electroplating a second metal layer on the second surface. A first carbon nanotube layer and a second carbon nanotube layer is formed by separating apart the carbon nanotube composite layer, wherein a fracture surface is formed in the carbon nanotube composite layer, a number of first carbon nanotubes in the first carbon nanotube layer are exposed from the fracture surface, and a number of second carbon nanotubes in the second carbon nanotube layer are exposed from the fracture surface.