A Complete Guide to the 9 Types of Nose Studs

Piercing expert Brian Thompson goes over the most popular types of nose studs

Co-authored by Brian Thompson and Aly Rusciano

Last Updated: December 11, 2025 Fact Checked

Types of Nose Studs

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Which should you wear?

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Which is the best?

Maybe you’re thinking about getting a nose piercing or figuring out which stud to use next. Either way, you’ve come to the right place! There are 9 different kinds of nose studs, and each type comes with its pros and cons. In this article, we'll go over the different types of nose studs and how they’re inserted and removed, with insights from piercing expert Brian Thompson and body piercing specialist Karissa Sanford. Plus, we’ll give you tips on how to choose the best nose stud for you.

The Different Types of Nose Studs

Piercing expert Brian Thompson says the most popular types of nose studs are the threadless (push pin) stud, the threaded stud, and the nostril screw. Other common stud types include the L-shaped, nose pins, half hoops, and D-shaped hoops. Each type has a different backing, whether that’s a flat back, ball, or bend.

Section 1 of 3:

Types of Nose Studs

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L-Shaped L-shaped nose studs have a 90-degree bend at the end of the shaft. This L-shaped design creates a secure fit, making it less likely that the stud will fall out. The L-shaped nose stud is often recommended to those with newer piercings, as they fit securely and are easy to put in and take out.^{[1]
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- How to use: Insert the stud by placing the end into your outer hole. Use your free hand to feel the tip poking through the inner piercing hole. Once you feel the tip, push up and in. Remove the stud by pulling gently, following the angle of the stud.^{[2]
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- Not ideal for narrow nostrils.
Meet the wikiHow Experts

Brian Thompson is a piercing expert and the CEO, proprietor, and Chief Piercing Officer of The World Famous Body Electric Tattoo in Los Angeles, California.

Karissa Sanford is a body piercing specialist and co-owner of Make Me Holey Body Piercing, a piercing studio in the San Francisco Bay Area.
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Nose Pins Also known as I-shaped or fishtail nose studs, nose pins are the daintiest, most elegant nose studs. Thin and small, these studs don’t have a backing or bend—they’re simply a straight pin. While they’re easy to slide in and out of piercing holes, they could fall out.
- How to use: Insert the stud by guiding the end through your outer piercing hole. Stop once the accent is flush with your nose. Remove by simply pulling the pin out.
- Not ideal for narrow nostrils.
- I-shaped nose studs can be cut or bent to fit your nose exactly, making them one of the most versatile nose studs.
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Bone Studs Bone studs or nose bones have a straight shaft with a small ball at the end and come in a variety of gauges. Unlike nose pins, this type of nose stud is less likely to fall out because the ball end acts as a “stopper.” The accent sits flush against the skin, while the pin rests inside the nose in place, thanks to the ball end’s resistance on the inner piercing hole.^{[3]
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- How to use: Insert the stud by pushing the end with the ball through your piercing hole. The ball will stretch the piercing hole slightly, but the hole will return to its normal size once the ball is pushed through. Remove by pulling the stud out by the accent. You may feel a popping sensation while the ball passes through the piercing; this is normal.^{[4]
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- Not ideal for unhealed piercings.
- A wet Q-tip can be used to help soften the skin around the piercing if you’re having trouble inserting or removing the stud.
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Screw or Twisted According to Thompson, the nosescrew or nostril screw is one of the most popular types of nose studs. He explains that these studs look like screws, hence their name. They’re usually made out of 18-gauge stainless steel pins that are bent at an angle so they stay secure inside your nostril.^{[5]
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Brian Thompson
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Expert Interview} The bend starts about halfway down the shaft and resembles a corkscrew, which requires the stud to be twisted into place through the piercing hole.^{[6]
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- How to use: Insert the stud by pushing the corkscrew end into the piercing hole. Once inserted, follow the angle of the shaft in a clockwise motion until the bent end of the shaft is completely inserted. Gently push the straight part of the shaft the rest of the way through until the accent is flush with your skin. Thompson says removing it is easy: just slowly unwind the jewelry from the nostril.^{[7]
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- Because the nostril screw is so easy to remove, Thompson says it's a great choice for someone who needs to remove their jewelry often.^{[8]
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- Not ideal for smaller nostrils or those with double nostril piercings.^{[9]
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- There are multiple sizes of screw or twisted nose studs, so don’t be afraid to ask your piercer which will work best for you and your nose shape! The jewelry should sit flush with your skin without putting pressure on the inside of your nose.
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Labret Studs Labret studs have a flat, removable back that holds the jewelry in place. While these studs are easy to insert and remove, they’re not as discreet as other nose piercings. The flat backing sits flush with the inside of the nostril, which can make it visible from certain angles.^{[10]
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- How to use: Insert by removing the backing from the shaft. Push the shaft through the outer piercing hole, then pop the backing on the end through the inside of the nose. Remove by taking off the backing and sliding the jewelry out.
- Not ideal for bigger nostrils.
- Labret studs come in numerous sizes, shapes, and designs, so try multiple kinds to see what you’re most comfortable wearing.
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Push Pin Also known as threadless nose studs, Thompson says this is the most popular stud style. He explains that the jewelry is made of 2 pieces: the top, with the decorative piece (a gem, ball, etc.), and the post or back. Securing the top onto the post creates tension, securing the jewelry inside your nose.^{[11]
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Expert Interview} The flat back of push pin nose studs helps the jewelry stay in place; however, they must be inserted with an insertion taper tool. Push pin nose studs are often used while a nose piercing is healing because the flat back and straight, short shaft don’t irritate the piercing hole as much.
- How to use: Insert the stud by using an insertion taper tool. Push the tool through the piercing hole from the outside. Place the stud’s backing piece on the end of the tool. Then, push the jewelry up into your nose and through the piercing hole. Use your fingers to push the stud in place. Thompson notes that threadless studs are difficult to remove, so you may need to visit a piercing studio to get your jewelry changed. If you decide to try it on your own, he says to hold the post and pull the top away from your nostril.^{[12]
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- Not ideal for healing piercings.
- Push pin nose studs come in a variety of sizes, so experiment with what feels most secure on your nose.
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Half Hoop Half hoop nose studs or nose rings are a curved piece of wire that’s inserted through one end of the piercing hole. The straight end of the stud often features an accent. While this style of nose stud doesn’t have a backing, the curved shape wraps around the edge of the nostril, helping it stay in place.
- How to use: Insert the loop through the piercing hole. Once the tip breaks through, guide the hoop gently through the hole, following the hoop’s curve, until the accent sits flush with your skin. Remove by pulling the stud out following the hoop’s curve.
- Not ideal for active lifestyles.
- When purchasing a half hoop nose stud, pay attention to the stud’s tail length. This determines how snug or loose the hoop will wrap around your nostril.
EXPERT TIP

Karissa Sanford
Body Piercing Specialist
Karissa Sanford is the Co-owner of Make Me Holey Body Piercing, a piercing studio based in the San Francisco Bay Area that specializes in safe and friendly body piercing. Karissa has over 10 years of piercing experience and is a member of the Association of Professional Piercers (APP).

Karissa Sanford
Body Piercing Specialist

Make sure your piercing is healthy before switching to a hoop. Hoops create more movement than studs, so always be sure your piercing is healed before switching to a hoop to avoid irritation and infection.
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D-Shaped or Hoops D-shaped nose studs or hoops are a more prominent version of half hoop nose studs. These studs are in the shape of a “D,” with a curved full hoop and a straight portion of shaft near a flat backing. This shape creates a full hoop effect without an accent.
- How to use: Insert the curved section of the stud through the inner piercing hole, feeding it up to the outside of the nose. Continue pushing until the flat section sits flush against the inside of your nose.^{[13]
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- Not ideal for active lifestyles.
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Threaded Like the threadless nose stud, Thompson says threaded nose studs are made of 2 pieces. He explains that this type of stud “has threads that lock together, similar to a nut and bolt.” To tighten the stud, you turn the top clockwise, and to loosen the jewelry, you twist the top counterclockwise.^{[14]
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- How to use: Use an insertion taper tool to place the stud in your nose. Screw the post on the end of the tool and push it inside your piercing hole from the inside of your nostril. Screw the top (the decorative piece) onto the post to secure the stud in place.^{[15]
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  Research source} To remove the stud, unscrew the top and pull out the post. If the process is difficult, visit a piercing studio for help.
- Not ideal for healing piercings.

Section 2 of 3:

Which nose stud should you wear?

Wear a nose stud with a backing and application you like. The type of nose stud you choose is entirely up to you! As long as the jewelry matches your needs and is easy for you to put in and take out, you’re golden. Here’s a quick guide to help:
- If you don’t want the stud to fall out, go with an L-shaped, screw, or labret nose stud.^{[16]
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- If you want an elegant look, try a nose pin.
- If you want to make a statement, go with a half hoop or D-shaped nose stud.
- If this is your first nose piercing, try an L-shaped nose stud.
- If you want a permanent option, Thompson recommends the threadless (push pin) stud. He says, “Not only are they comfortable, [but] they are really secure, if installed by someone with experience.”^{[17]
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Section 3 of 3:

What type of nose stud is best?

The best type of nose stud matches your needs and aesthetic. At the end of the day, all nose studs are great! Which one will be best for you all depends on your personal preferences.^{[18]
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Research source} Do some research before getting your nose pierced, and ask your piercer which style and type of nose stud they think would work and look best on you.^{[19]
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- Piercers recommend starting with a labret stud or L-shaped stud as your first piece of nose jewelry, as these types are the most secure and easiest to insert and remove.^{[20]
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