Updated on November 14, 2022
Everyone has a pair of pliers somewhere in their home. As one of the most useful tools out there, it might surprise you at just how many different types there are and how versatile pliers can be.
Parts of Pliers
There are only a few parts to pliers, but all of them have an important function. In a few cases, the parts may vary to complete a specific function.
Cutters – These surfaces are generally located close to the fulcrum and are used for cutting wire and cables.
Fulcrum (or Pivot Point) – Not only is this the place where the handles and jaws connect, it also serves to create enough force for the jaws to perform their duty.
Handles – The part you hold. These can be straight or curved, and the surface will wither be bare metal or plastic coated.
Jaws (or Nose) – The working end of pliers are used primarily for gripping. Combination pliers have jaws which also contain cutters and/or pipe grips.
Pipe Grips – A rounded opening in the jaws, pipe grips are designed to do what the name implies, and are very useful for gripping round objects.
See Also: 40 Different Types of Hammers and Their Uses
Common Pliers
Chances are, you have seen or used these pliers at some point in your lifetime. They are available almost anywhere and in many cases can be used for other purposes in a pinch.
You probably have at least a few of these in your tool cabinet or even your tool belt.
Crimping Pliers
Also known as: crimping tools
These pliers have the fulcrum at the far end and are used similarly to a nutcracker. Wires are fed into the jack of the jaw first, then the connector.
Squeezing the handles will break through the plastic coating and cause the two sections to deform (or crimp) in such a way that they stick together and allow data to pass through.
Crimping pliers are used heavily in networking and telecommunications. RJ45 crimping pliers are commonly used in the computer industry while wire terminal crimpers are mainly for automotive use.
Diagonal Pliers
Also known as: diagonal cutting pliers, flush cut pliers, side cutting pliers, wire cutters
The jaws of these pliers have an angled edge designed to cut through thick wire. They are quite strong and can also be used to cut nails. Thus they are useful in carpentry as well as electrical work.
Hose Clamp Pliers
Also known as: hose pliers, spring clamp pliers, radiator hose pliers
These pliers are designed to compress hose and spring clamps, making the connection tighter. As a result, they come in a wide range of designs.
The most common models have a peg-shaped tooth on each jaw, which is used to pinch the clamp. Some models may also be used directly on the hose.
Related: Types of Hose Clamps
Needle Nose Pliers
Also known as: long-nosed pliers
The nose of this tool is elongated for more precision and contains a cutting edge near the base. A highly versatile tool, it can be used for bending, shaping, and cutting wire.
These pliers are employed by a wide range of trades, including: armouring, electrical, fishing, jewelry making, and network engineering. Most home toolkits will have at least one of these.
Slip Joint Pliers
Also known as: water pump pliers
Closely related to the adjustable wrench, these pliers have an adjustable fulcrum to alter the width of the jaws.
Many variants have notches for the fulcrum’s bolt to slip into when the jaws are open, letting you lock on a specific width. They are often used for plumbing applications and can perform many of the same duties as wrenches.
Snap Ring Pliers
Also known as: retaining ring pliers, circlip pliers, C clip pliers, lock ring pliers
These pliers have short, round jaws to aid in closing snap rings. These rings are open-ended loops that fit into grooves of a dowel or other round object.
Once closed, the ring can rotate freely, but is unable to slide sideways.They are commonly used for the gears on mountain bikes and similar vehicles.
Tongue and Groove Pliers
Also known as: Channel Locks
These are an adjustable type of pliers with a toothed groove along the upper handle, allowing the lower jaw to be locked into a number of positions. The angled jaws make this tool useful for turning nuts and bolts.
The popular company Channellock officially changed its name to match this tool in 1963, which has been their most famous product line since the name was trademarked by the company in 1949.
See Also: 12 Different Types of Sanders and Their Uses
Other Pliers
While the previous pliers are all commonly found in tool kits, there are a number of more specialized pliers that you may never encounter outside of their related trades.
Bail Making Pliers
The jaws of this tool consist of two dowels, one larger than the other. Used primarily in jewelry making, wire is wrapped around the jaws to form clasps, ear wires, and a number of other shaped loop components.
Battery Pliers
Used primarily in the automotive industry for maintaining the bolts on car batteries and jumper cables, these pliers have short, angled jaws. The lower jaw is slightly smaller, and both jaws are thick to make them more durable.
Bent Nose Pliers
This variation of needle nose pliers has a set of jaws that are bent at an angle at the midpoint (most commonly 45 or 90 degrees). This allows them to grip surfaces without getting in the way when multiple pliers are needed or the angle is too difficult to reach with normal needle nose pliers.
As a result, they are useful in jewelry making, electrical work, and other occupations which deal with shaping wire.
Brake Spring Pliers
Another useful automotive tool, these pliers are actually a multi-tool designed specifically for handling the springs found in drum brakes.
One jaw tip is rounded for removing springs, while the other is curved to put springs back in.Sometimes, one of the handles also has a ratchet to remove the shoe hold-down pin.
Canvas Pliers
Also known as: canvas stretching pliers
An invaluable tool for artists, these wide-jawed pliers allow one person to do what normally takes two. The jaws are usually padded to avoid damaging the canvas surface while it’s being stretched onto the frame.
Chain Nose Pliers
Featuring stubby triangular jaws, chain nose pliers are one of the many tools used in wire shaping and jewelry making. The jaw design allows for bending, crimping, and shaping wire.
When working with beads, the tip aids in closing or opening bead tips and jump rings.
Combination Pliers
These multipurpose tools have three separate sections in the jaws. From the tip, the first part is a serrated gripping surface. A round serrated section behind this makes gripping tubes and other thick round objects easier.
Finally, the section closest to the fulcrum contains a cutting surface. Often mistaken for linesman pliers, the latter lacks a rounded center section in the jaws.
Eyelet Pliers
An important component in tailoring, cobbling, and other clothing industries, eyelets allow laces and drawstrings to be added to clothes. These eyelets have a ring and elongated hub which must be crimped down.
Most modern eyelet pliers have interchangeable dies to allow for both hole punching and crimping, although some have only crimping surfaces or a wheel in the upper jaw containing various die tips.
Fencing Pliers
This curious-looking multi-tool resembles a hammer with two handles when looked at from above. Notches in the fulcrum allow you to cut wires of different gauges, while the side of the left jaw has a hammer surface for driving in staples.
The claw of the right jaw can be used for removing staples, and the jaws themselves contain a gripping surface and a rounded grip hole.
Flat Nose Pliers
Also known as: duckbill pliers
The flat, tapered jaws of these pliers are used for gripping and twisting metal, as well as twisting leads and wires. It’s a common tool in both electrical and mechanical work.
They can easily make sharp bends and right angles with wire and also work well for straightening. Available with short or long noses.
Grommet Pliers
Similar in form and function to eyelet pliers, grommet pliers are used to create holes in tarp and other materials, as well as affixing grommets.
Grommets are more heavy-duty than eyelets, making this tool perfect for crafts involving sturdy materials such as tent-making.
Hose Grip Pliers
Also known as: grabber pliers
These specialty pliers are designed to easily get small hoses into or out of tight places. Their grabber jaws are shaped in a way to prevent damage to hoses such as vacuum lines, heater hoses, and fuel lines.
Simply grip and twist the hose on or off. Hose grip pliers also work great for hose clamps, spark plugs, and other various small components.
Linesman Pliers
Also known as: lineman pliers
While the name might not seem familiar, chances are you’ve seen or used these at some point. Easily identified by the jaws, which have a shorter gripping surface towards the tip and a cutting surface in the middle, this is a highly versatile tool used most often in electrical work.
Due to the multi-tool function and strength of the jaws, this too can be used to bend, twist, and curt metal that might be too tough for other pliers.
In some cases, the insulated handles are capable of protecting the user from electrical shocks, although most models are not rated against shock.
Locking Pliers
Also known as: Vise Grips
As the name implies, the jaws of these pliers are designed to lock in place, making them excellent for gripping stripped screws and bolts. A wide variety of jaw shapes are available for this tool, allowing you to choose a design that best fits your needs.
See Also: 14 Different Types of Screwdrivers and Their Uses
Nail Puller Pliers
Similar in appearance to tongs, the tips of its caws are tapered to allow it to dig under the head of nails and pull them out. Some variations also have a claw on the back of the right jaw to provide additional leverage.
Oil Filter Pliers
These odd looking pliers have a C-shaped pair of toothed jaws, with one being much longer than the other. They’re used in the automotive industry to remove oil filter casings.
Piston Ring Pliers
There are two major design of piston ring pliers, both of which are used to remove and replace piston rings in engines. The first has simple curved tips on the jaws that can be used to spread a piston ring for easy removal.
The second has a much larger curved set of jaws with several braces to support the ring and reduce the risk of warping.
Push Pin Pliers
The jaw tips of these pliers are wedge-shaped to allow them to get under the pin cap of plastic anchors. By squeezing the pliers, the push pin will pop out, allowing for the safe removal of anchors.
This tool is used in automotive work, as well as other industries where push pin-style anchors are used.
Round Nose Pliers
Also known as: jewelry pliers, rosary pliers
Not to be confused with the similar bail making pliers, the rounded jaws on these pliers are slightly tapered and come together to form a triangular jaw design.
They are used to create loops in jewelry, especially rosaries and similar projects. Some also have insulated handles for use in electrical work.
Running Pliers
Used in creating stained glass crafts, these pliers make a clean break along scored lines in the glass. The wide-tipped jaws can be adjusted to match the thickness of your glass and most have a center line to ensure proper alignment when running along the score.
Sheet Metal Pliers
Also known as: seamer pliers
The wide, rectangular jaws of these pliers are used for bending sheet metal and forming seams. They are commonly found in metal shops and other industries where sheet metal is used.
These are sometimes a version of locking pliers specifically designed for metal work.
Split Ring Pliers
Also known as: fishing pliers
Resembling a stubby version of needle nose or chain nose pliers, split ring pliers have a hooked tip on the lower jaw. This tip acts as a wedge, splitting coiled rings apart.
Split rings are commonly used in the creation of fishing tackles and keyrings.
Soft Jaw Pliers
Used for plumbing and scuba diving equipment, soft jaw pliers can include variations of many common types of pliers. The difference is that these pliers have padded jaws to prevent scratches on chrome and other soft metals or exposed surfaces.
Spark Plug Pliers
The narrow jaws of these pliers are tipped with either insulated tongs or a cylindrical holder. As the name suggests, the tips grip spark plugs by the boot or plug wires, aiding in automotive repairs.
Welding Pliers
The jaws of welding pliers are similar to those of combination pliers, with the same tip as the jaws of needle nose pliers.
This tool performs a number of functions, including spatter removal, gripping wire, cutting, and even hammering. As the name implies, these pliers are used heavily in welding-based trades.
Wire Twisting Pliers
This unusual tool has short jaws with a cutting edge by the fulcrum. Between the handles is a cylindrical locking mechanism and threaded knob.
By locking a piece of wire into the jaws and pulling back on the knob, the entire tool spins, twisting the wire along with it. Most commonly used in jewelry making, these pliers are also frequently used by electricians.
Concise, informative and timely
Found an old set of pliers I can’t identify, have picture any help would be appreciated. Thank you
What about flat nose expanding/spreading pliers like these?
https://www.expandingpliers.com/
Very useful for prying things apart without the risk of damage screwdrivers can cause. They are especially helpful when separating pieces that are glued together, e.g. removing a headlight cover from its housing.
Are common pliers like slip pliers but they don’t adjust or slip
wire twisting pliers are also extensively used in the aviation industry for securing lockwire between bolts. Aircraft maintenance engineers use them constantly.
Looking for a plyer that pushes a brad into a picture frame to hold the glass in place. I had one year’s ago, but have misplaced it during a current move.
Something like this? http://www.leevalley.com/en/hardware/page.aspx?p=32117&cat=1,43293
Really helpful thanks. I went to a plumbing shop and asked for some Pump Pliers, when I got home I noticed the pack said Slip joint pliers. I thought I’d been given the wrong type, thanks to this really informative article I know I was given the correct pliers!
I like to to request the manufacturers to develop a pliers by which animal skin could be hold while butchering .
this will be somewhat like canvas pliers.
This pliers and a deskining knife will be good enough to deskin acow or goat etc.
I am looking for a pair of pliers that look like slip joint pliers but dont slip. Maybe my memory is bad but i believe i have had these . i didn’t see a picture of common pliers. Could they be them. And were can i find them. And if it. Thanks
Yesterday I was at a welders shop and he gave me a needle nose to put a cotter pin back in. Looked like normal needle nose except the end was flat clamp, about the size of a postage stamp. Search hasn’t shown any pics and led me here. Any ideas?
Do you know of pliers or another tool that grips the inside of a pipe when the handles are squeezed?
I’m currently exploring the development feasibility & market demand for a new type of plyer, one variation of which would be exceptional at the task of gripping the interior circumference of an extruded ring (pipe). While threaded sled expander / pullers exist that we’re tooled for this general purpose, I know of no hand-held force multiplier with linear compression to concentric expansion action.
Awesome work! Such an informative article. I’m really impressed and grateful to the author for the effort made. Thank You Very Much…. Jayson
I was wondering if you might have an ideal as to how many wire cutting pliers are made each year ? Such as diagonal, needle nose, bent nose, combination, linesman pliers. I’m just trying to get an “estimated” number of hand held wire cutters manufactured each year . thanks in advance
I honestly have no idea. There are so many brands these days, it would be impossible to get accurate numbers. With how easy Amazon makes it to sell products, you could have 50 different brands of say a needle nose plier all made in the same Chinese factory. You might be able to get some type of estimate from larger, household name brands, but that would just be a fraction of the total number of pliers sold from all brands combined.
I’m looking for pliers that stand alone so I have both hands to work. Called several places and of course internet but I don’t know what to call them. Any info is welcome. Maybe I need to make a stand? Thanks in advance.
Some clamps can stand, if that helps?
Where’s the circlip pliers?
They’re there but referred to as “snap ring pliers”. A lot of tools go by more than one name so we tried to use the most common name but tried to include others.
As a metalwork teacher with countless number of textbooks, I have never heard of them titled “snap rings” ( perhaps in one textbook from America). As the shape is a C we refer to them as circlips or C clips.
great work,if anyone know about pressure screw puller plz tell me
We pull thousands of invasive tree seedlings during our environmental restoration work. We are looking for a tool for pulling small specimens, pencil lead thick to pencil thick. Imagine pulling wires of inconsistent thickness, in line, straight out of the wall. Can’t twist the “wire” around the jaws for leverage as it will break. Perhaps with a groove running down the inside of the jaws to grip around the “wire”. Prefer for the handles to be closed loops like some tin snips. Does such a tool already exist? Thanks
Maybe self adjusting wire stripper/crimper? Klein makes some
Hi I’m looking for a long nose plier that can grip a needle, one without the grip .
After seeing this handy article, figured this was a good place to ask.
Typical slip-joint, v-jaw pliers have nose that is approx. 3/8 inch wide.
Does someone make pliers with a narrow jaw, e.g., 1/4 wide? Thanks in advance.
Excellent article. It would be a shame if such a specimen of internet journalism was marred by a minor typo.
Under ‘Welding Pliers’
“The jaws of welding pliers azre [sic] similar…”
Good catch, thanks.
Really appreciated this list, thank you