Eyelets vs Grommets: Differences in Size, Structure and Application
Two circular metal components can look almost identical in a product photograph while performing very differently after installation. One may be intended to guide a hoodie drawcord through lightweight fabric. The other may secure an outdoor banner exposed to changing wind loads.
For buyers, an eyelet vs grommet decision should never be based only on what a supplier calls the product. Size, flange geometry, barrel length, washer design, substrate thickness, installation method and load direction are more reliable selection criteria.
The general distinction is straightforward: an eyelet is usually smaller and associated with apparel, footwear, leather goods and light materials, while a grommet is often larger, washer-backed and used on curtains, banners, tarpaulins and technical textiles. However, this is an industry tendency rather than an internationally fixed rule.
Why the Terminology Is Not Consistent
Eyelet and grommet belong to the same broad family of hole-reinforcement hardware. Both create a finished opening in fabric, leather, vinyl, canvas, paperboard or another relatively thin material. Both can protect the cut edge and guide a cord, lace, hook or fixing element.
The terminology becomes confusing because different markets classify the products differently.
In apparel and footwear, manufacturers commonly use eyelet for small metal rings installed around drawcord and shoelace holes. In the US banner, tarp and marine industries, grommet is more common for larger two-part components. In the UK and parts of Europe, large curtain rings may still be described as curtain eyelets.
Suppliers may also name products according to their own catalog systems. One supplier’s large eyelet may be another supplier’s small grommet. There is no universal diameter at which an eyelet officially becomes a grommet.
This is why the difference between eyelets and grommets should be explained as a combination of typical size, structure, load level and end use—not as a rigid definition based on only one feature.
What Is an Eyelet?
To answer what is an eyelet, start with its basic geometry. A metal eyelet normally has a visible flange surrounding the opening and a tubular barrel extending through the base material. During installation, the barrel is flared, rolled or curled against the reverse side.
Some eyelets are installed as one-piece components. Others are combined with washers when the material needs more support or a more finished back. Eyelets are commonly produced in relatively small sizes because they are frequently used on garments, shoes, bags, belts, leather accessories, paper products and crafts.
Their primary jobs include:
- Protecting the edge of a punched hole;
- Guiding laces, drawcords or straps;
- Reducing abrasion against the base material;
- Supporting ventilation or drainage;
- Adding a decorative metal detail;
- Helping an opening retain its intended shape.
An eyelet does not automatically make weak material strong. If the surrounding fabric or leather is too thin, poorly reinforced or damaged during punching, the substrate may tear even when the metal component remains intact.
What Is a Grommet?
The question what is a grommet has a similar answer, but the expected application is often more demanding. A textile grommet generally reinforces a hole used for hanging, tying, tensioning or repeated attachment.
Many grommets consist of a main ring and a separate washer. During setting, the barrel of the main component passes through the substrate and forms against the washer. Some designs use toothed, spur or interlocking features to grip heavier materials. Other designs may be self-piercing or use different backing structures.
Grommets are frequently associated with:
- Advertising banners and printed displays;
- Tarpaulins and truck covers;
- Tents, canopies and awnings;
- Curtains and shower curtains;
- Marine canvas and boat covers;
- Shade cloth and agricultural fabrics;
- Industrial partitions and protective covers;
- Flags and hanging textiles.
This does not mean every grommet is large or every eyelet is small. The intended load and assembly structure are more meaningful than the name alone.
Eyelet and Grommet Comparison
| Factor | Typical Eyelet | Typical Grommet |
|---|---|---|
| General scale | Smaller and lighter | Larger or more robust |
| Common structure | Often one-piece; washer optional | Often ring plus washer |
| Typical materials | Garment fabric, shoe uppers, leather, paper | Canvas, vinyl, curtains, tarps, technical textiles |
| Primary function | Lacing, drawcords, ventilation, decoration | Hanging, tying, tensioning, reinforcement |
| Expected loading | Light to moderate, often repeated | Moderate to heavy, often multidirectional |
| Common market wording | Apparel, footwear, leather and crafts | Banner, tarp, curtain, marine and industrial |
| Selection basis | Hole size, appearance, material thickness | Load distribution, reinforcement and environment |
These descriptions help with initial communication, but they do not replace a dimensional drawing, installed sample or performance specification.
Size Differences: More Than the Inner Diameter
Buyers sometimes compare only the finished hole opening. That measurement is important, but it describes only one part of the component.
When reviewing eyelet sizes, the following dimensions should be confirmed:
- Finished inner diameter;
- Flange outside diameter;
- Barrel outside diameter;
- Barrel length before setting;
- Base-metal thickness;
- Washer outside and inside diameters, if used;
- Finished height after installation.
Small apparel eyelets may have a narrow flange because appearance and compactness matter. A wider flange can distribute pressure over more fabric, but it may look too heavy on a fine garment or interfere with nearby stitching.
The same principle applies to grommet dimensions. A grommet with a larger opening is not automatically stronger. If its flange is too narrow for the load, its barrel does not fit the material thickness, or the surrounding substrate is not reinforced, the assembly can still fail.
Numbered size systems require particular care. Labels such as #00, #0, #1 or #2 may be familiar within one supplier’s catalog, but they are not guaranteed to represent identical dimensions across different manufacturers or countries.
A reliable purchase specification should include millimeter or inch measurements and identify what each dimension represents. Physical samples remain useful when replacing a component from an existing product.
Structural Differences
One-Piece Eyelets
A one-piece eyelet passes through a prepared hole and is rolled outward on the reverse side. This structure is compact and economical, making it suitable for clothing, shoes, paper products and light leather goods.
However, the back roll must be smooth and complete. An incomplete roll can loosen, while a split barrel can create sharp edges. The material thickness and setting die must therefore match the eyelet.
Eyelets With Washers
Adding a washer provides a larger bearing surface on the reverse side. This can help when the substrate is soft, layered or expected to experience repeated movement.
The washer cannot be selected independently. Its hole, profile and metal thickness must fit the eyelet barrel and setting tool. A washer that is too loose may not lock properly, while one that is too tight can interfere with forming.
Two-Part Grommets
A typical grommet assembly uses a ring and washer to clamp the substrate between two metal surfaces. This arrangement is common where both sides need support or where the fixing point experiences greater tension.
Some washers are plain, while others include teeth or spurs that enter the material. Toothed designs can increase grip in suitable fabrics, but they can also damage thin or delicate materials. More aggressive hardware is not always better.
Heavy-Duty Structures
Products marketed as heavy duty grommets may use thicker metal, broader flanges, more substantial washers or specialized gripping structures. Their performance still depends on the surrounding material and reinforcement.
For example, a very strong grommet installed in thin unsupported vinyl may remain undamaged while the vinyl tears around it. In that case, increasing metal thickness does not address the actual failure mode.
How the Applications Overlap
Apparel and Fashion
Clothing eyelets are commonly installed on hoodies, jackets, sports pants, corsets, lace-up garments, hats and decorative fashion products. Their openings guide cords, provide ventilation or support a visual design.
Grommet may also be used in fashion terminology, particularly for larger decorative rings on jackets, dresses, belts and streetwear. In this context, the name often reflects appearance rather than an engineering load category.
Lightweight knits may need reinforcement patches or backing tape. Dense woven fabric requires clean punching so that threads are cut rather than dragged or distorted. The visible finish should also remain stable after washing and handling.
Footwear
Shoe eyelets repeatedly guide laces and transfer tightening force into the upper. Small round eyelets are common on dress shoes and sneakers, while work boots may combine eyelets with D-rings or speed hooks.
The strength of the finished system depends on the upper, lining, eyestay reinforcement and installation quality. A thicker eyelet cannot compensate for an unsupported or damaged shoe upper.
Bags, Leather Goods and Belts
Eyelets are used in drawstring bags, handbags, backpacks, belts, watch straps and pet collars. Their barrel length must match the total material stack, including leather, lining and reinforcement layers.
For high-load bag handles and shoulder straps, an eyelet should not automatically be treated as the primary fastener. Rivets, stitching, internal plates or a combined connection may be more appropriate.
Curtains and Home Textiles
Large curtain eyelets and curtain grommets are often structurally similar. The chosen term may depend more on regional language than on the product itself.
The inner diameter must provide adequate clearance around the curtain rod. Flange width, spacing and reinforcement affect the curtain folds and long-term fit. Shower curtains and outdoor curtains introduce additional humidity and corrosion concerns.
Banners, Tarps and Outdoor Covers
The term grommet is more common when the opening receives rope, hooks, cable ties or elastic cords. Metal grommets on banners and tarpaulins help create stable attachment points, but the metal ring is only one part of the load path.
The hem, reinforcement tape, fabric coating, edge distance and spacing determine how tension spreads through the cover. Wind can create repeated and changing forces, so outdoor assemblies should be evaluated differently from indoor displays.
General Fabric Applications
The phrase grommets for fabric can describe components for curtains, canvas, bags, banners, upholstery and technical textiles. Because the material range is so broad, it is not a complete specification.
A soft curtain header, a coated truck tarp and a woven industrial partition do not need the same barrel length, washer, flange or material. The supplier must know the exact substrate and function before recommending a component.
Material and Surface-Finish Considerations
Both eyelets and grommets can be manufactured from several metals. Common industry options include brass, stainless steel, steel with a protective finish and, in some applications, aluminum.
Brass forms well and offers a traditional appearance, but the surface may change over time. Stainless steel is considered for corrosion-sensitive or demanding environments, although grade selection still matters. Plated steel can provide economical colors and finishes, but damage to the coating may expose the base metal.
Nickel-colored, black, gunmetal, antique brass, gold and other decorative finishes should be approved using physical samples. Color names are not precise specifications, and appearance can vary with base metal, polishing, plating process and lighting.
Material selection should follow the real environment:
- Apparel may face sweat, washing and skin contact;
- Footwear experiences flexing, moisture and abrasion;
- Curtains may encounter humidity and cleaning products;
- Outdoor covers face rain, dirt and changing temperatures;
- Marine products may experience salt-containing moisture.
The most expensive material is not automatically the correct choice. The goal is to control the risks relevant to the final product.
Installation Determines Whether the Design Works
Even a correctly designed component can fail when it is installed with the wrong hole or tooling.
If the punched hole is too large, the component may move before the flange engages the substrate. If the hole is too small, insertion may stretch or damage the material. A barrel that is too short cannot form a secure roll, while one that is too long may buckle or split.
The setting die controls how the barrel forms. A mismatched die can produce:
- Uneven rolling;
- Cracked or split barrels;
- Sharp reverse edges;
- Loose rotation;
- Distorted openings;
- Scratched plating;
- Damage to the surrounding material.
Samples should be installed on the actual customer material, not only on a generic test cloth. The combined thickness of coatings, folds, linings and reinforcement layers can change the result.
For production orders, inspection may include dimensions, appearance, installed cross-section, opening smoothness, pull-out behavior and corrosion or wash testing. The test plan should follow the application rather than applying one universal requirement to every product.
How Buyers Can Choose Between Them
A practical selection process begins with the finished product, not the component name.
1. Identify the function
Determine whether the opening is intended for lacing, drawcord movement, ventilation, drainage, hanging, tie-down or decoration. The primary function establishes how the load enters the component.
2. Describe the substrate
Specify whether the base is knit fabric, woven fabric, leather, coated vinyl, canvas, paperboard or a multilayer assembly. Provide the compressed total thickness and any reinforcement around the hole.
3. Explain the load
State whether the load is occasional or repeated, light or demanding, and mainly vertical, lateral or multidirectional. Outdoor wind loading should not be treated like a garment drawcord.
4. Confirm the complete dimensions
Provide the required opening, flange diameter, barrel length, metal thickness and washer dimensions. Avoid relying only on catalog size numbers.
5. Define the use environment
Explain whether the component will encounter washing, sweat, humidity, rain, salt-containing air, outdoor storage, cleaning chemicals or temperature changes.
6. Identify the setting method
Tell the supplier whether installation will use hand tools, a manual press, a pneumatic machine or automatic production equipment. The dies must match both the component and the intended forming result.
7. Approve the installed sample
Evaluate the front, back and surrounding material after setting. Check that the opening remains round, the reverse roll is smooth, the component does not rotate excessively and the finish is not damaged.
8. Test the complete assembly
Where performance matters, test the component after installation in the real material. Pull-out results should record whether the metal moved, the roll opened, the washer released or the substrate tore.
Baocheng’s Approach to Custom Eyelets and Grommets
JiaShan BaoCheng Clothing Accessories Co., Ltd. supplies finished eyelets, grommets and customized metal components. The company does not sell JSW20 as raw sheet or coil.
For apparel hardware projects requiring stable ultra-low magnetic performance after stamping and forming, Baocheng can manufacture finished components using its patented JSW20 ultra-low magnetic permeability stainless steel. This is particularly relevant when needle detection or a defined finished-part magnetic requirement is involved.
Raw material that appears non-magnetic before production does not automatically guarantee the same performance after drawing, rolling, plating and assembly. For this reason, the finished component and complete garment system should be evaluated.
JSW20 is not required for every project. Outdoor grommets may place greater priority on corrosion, load distribution and fabric reinforcement, while decorative eyelets may focus on color and surface quality. Baocheng can also discuss other common materials, dimensions, finishes and custom structures according to the application.
Support may include sample or drawing evaluation, material recommendations, tooling compatibility, color confirmation, trial production, batch inspection and packaging planning. Relevant OEKO-TEX, RoHS, REACH and Intertek documentation can be reviewed for applicable projects or materials, with the exact scope checked against the selected base metal and finish.
Conclusion
Eyelets and grommets share the same fundamental purpose: creating a protected, finished and functional opening. Their differences are usually found in scale, structure, load expectation and application language.
Buyers should therefore specify dimensions, materials, washers, substrates, reinforcement and installation requirements instead of relying on the product name alone. The best component is the one that performs reliably as part of the complete assembly.
Focused FAQ
1. Are eyelets always smaller than grommets?
Usually, but not always. Eyelet often describes smaller hardware for clothing, shoes and leather, while grommet commonly describes larger components for curtains, banners and tarps. There is no universal diameter dividing the two, so drawings and measurements are more reliable than terminology.
2. Does every grommet require a washer?
No. Many textile grommets use a separate washer, especially for demanding applications, but structures vary. Some are self-piercing or use integrated backing features. The supplier should confirm the exact front and back components instead of assuming that every product sold as a grommet has the same construction.
3. Can an eyelet be used for a heavy-load application?
Only when the complete assembly has been designed and tested for that load. Metal strength alone is not enough. Flange area, barrel formation, washer design, substrate strength, reinforcement and edge distance all affect whether the installation can withstand repeated or multidirectional forces.
4. Why are numbered eyelet and grommet sizes inconsistent?
Numbers such as #0, #1 and #2 often belong to supplier-specific or regional size systems. The same number may correspond to different openings or flange diameters. Buyers should confirm millimeter or inch measurements and request drawings or samples before replacing an existing product.
5. Which product is better for leather goods?
Small eyelets are common for belts, bags, footwear and decorative leather products. A washer-backed structure may be preferable for soft, thick or layered leather. The correct choice depends on leather thickness, load, hole quality and whether both sides require a finished appearance.
6. Should curtains use eyelets or grommets?
Both terms are used. In the UK and Europe, curtain eyelet is common, while curtain grommet is frequently seen in North America. More important factors include rod clearance, flange diameter, header reinforcement, spacing, corrosion resistance and smooth movement during repeated opening and closing.
7. What material should be selected for outdoor grommets?
The choice depends on rain, humidity, salt exposure, expected service life, cost and appearance. Stainless steel may suit corrosion-sensitive environments, while other metals and protective finishes can serve less demanding conditions. The finished assembly should be tested in relation to the actual environment.
8. Why do installed eyelets or grommets rotate?
Rotation may result from an oversized hole, insufficient setting pressure, an incorrect barrel length, mismatched tooling or a substrate that compresses after installation. The solution should address the source of looseness rather than simply increasing the metal thickness.
9. When is JSW20 relevant to an eyelet project?
JSW20 is relevant when the finished component must maintain ultra-low magnetic performance after forming, particularly in apparel projects involving needle detection or specified magnetic limits. It is not automatically necessary for ordinary curtains, banners or tarps without a low-magnetic requirement.
10. What information should be included in an RFQ?
An effective RFQ should state the application, substrate, total material thickness, required opening and flange dimensions, barrel length, washer structure, expected load, environment, material, finish, installation equipment, quantity and testing requirements. Drawings, installed samples and material swatches improve recommendation accuracy.
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