What’s the Small Round Hole on Your Nail Clipper For?

Ever noticed that tiny round hole on the handle of your nail clipper? Most people have, but few stop to wonder what it’s actually for. At first glance, it may seem like a pointless design detail—but it turns out, it serves a practical purpose.

The Purpose Behind the Hole

That small round hole isn’t just for show. It’s designed to help you attach your nail clipper to a keychain, lanyard, or small metal ring. This makes it easier to keep track of it—no more rummaging through bathroom drawers or bags.

Imagine your nail clipper always within reach, hanging on a hook or nestled beside your keys. That little hole makes it possible.

How to Attach It

Connecting your nail clipper to a keychain is simple and takes less than a minute. Here’s how:

1. Grab a Small Key Ring

Find a thin key ring that can fit through the hole. Most standard rings will do the trick.

2. Thread the Ring

Slowly twist open the ring and guide it through the hole in the handle.

3. Attach It

Loop it onto your keychain or hang it in your bathroom. That’s it—you’ve made your clipper portable and easy to locate.

Other Handy Uses for the Hole

Beyond portability, this tiny hole has a few other creative uses:

Hang It Up

Use a small hook and hang the clipper near your sink, inside a cabinet, or on the bathroom wall. This keeps it visible and within easy reach.

Get a Better Grip

Some people use the hole to help stabilize the clipper by slipping a pinky or fingertip through it. It’s not an official feature, but if it helps you clip more comfortably—go for it!

Keep Clippers Together

Own multiple clippers for different nail types? Connect them with one ring to keep them grouped. No more mixing them up.

A Brief History of the Design

Nail clippers as we know them were invented in the late 1800s and have evolved through the years. But that little round hole has stuck around—especially in cheaper or compact models.

Why? Because before home bathrooms were common, people often carried grooming tools with them. That hole allowed the clipper to stay hooked on a keychain or lanyard—just like a wallet or handkerchief.

A Small Detail That Matters

Today, nail clippers come in all forms—some with files, others with bottle openers or knife attachments as part of multi-tools. But no matter the model, the small round hole remains one of its simplest yet most functional features.

It’s easy to overlook, but once you realize its value, you might see your everyday clipper a bit differently.

Even Grandpa was surprised when I told him about it!

Sometimes, it’s the little things—like a hole in a nail clipper—that make life just a bit easier.