A method for making a field emission display includes: (1) providing a detachable substrate having a plane surface; (2) forming gate electrodes in a predetermined pattern on the plane surface of the detachable substrate; (3) forming an intermediate layer on the gate electrodes; (4) forming a catalyst layer on the intermediate layer; (5) forming a spacer in a manner corresponding to a predetermined pattern on the layer of catalyst material; (6) forming carbon nanotube arrays extending from the layer of catalyst material; (7) forming cathode electrodes on first ends of the carbon nanotube arrays; and (8) removing the detachable substrate, and removing portions of the intermediate layer corresponding to positions of the carbon nanotube arrays so as to expose opposite second ends of the carbon nanotube arrays that face toward the gate electrodes.