The Different Types of Lanyard Clips: Which One Do You Need?

The clip on the end of a lanyard is easy to overlook, but it decides how securely an ID card is held, how quickly it can be swapped, and whether it will survive months of daily wear. Pick the wrong one, and you'll soon see cards slipping off, staff struggling to unclip passes at readers, or clips snapping within a few weeks.

We've supplied lanyards and ID card accessories since 1987, so we've seen which types of lanyard clips hold up in offices, schools, hospitals, construction sites, and at events. Below, we explain each of the main clip types, where they work best, and how to choose between them.

Why the lanyard clip matters

A lanyard has three working parts: the strap, the safety breakaway at the back of the neck, and the clip at the end. The strap takes care of comfort and colour, and the breakaway protects the wearer. The clip is the part that actually holds your ID card, access card, or badge holder, so it has the biggest effect on whether cards stay put, how easy they are to present at a reader, and how long the lanyard lasts before something wears out. In some settings, such as MRI suites, the material the clip is made from matters too.

The main types of lanyard clips

Lobster clips

A lobster clip, sometimes called a lobster claw clip, is a small metal clasp with a spring-loaded lever that you press with your thumb to open. When you let go, it closes into a complete loop, so nothing can slide out. That closed loop makes it the most secure everyday lanyard clip available, and it's the clip we fit to our pre-printed STAFF lanyards, VISITOR lanyards and CONTRACTOR lanyards.

Lobster clips are ideal for staff ID, visitor passes and access cards that stay on the lanyard all day. The one drawback is the small lever, which can be fiddly for anyone wearing gloves or with limited dexterity.

Trigger clips

A trigger clip is a J-shaped metal hook with a sprung gate across the opening. You push the gate inwards to attach a card holder or punched card, and it snaps shut behind it. Trigger clips are quicker to use than lobster clips, and many swivel so the card can turn to face forwards on its own.

That speed is why trigger clips are popular in healthcare and at events, where people swap badges or attach badge reels throughout the day. You'll find them on our 20mm recycled polyester lanyards and on our NHS lanyards with double and triple breakaways. The gate is secure in everyday use, although it isn't a fully closed loop like a lobster clip.

Dog clips

A dog clip works on the same principle as the fitting on a dog lead: a sturdy hook with a sprung gate that you push open to attach the card, which then springs closed by itself. It's a little chunkier than a trigger clip and very robust, so it copes well with heavy daily use in schools and busy workplaces.

Our 10mm polyester lanyards with a metal dog clip are a popular budget-friendly choice. The extra bulk is more noticeable on a slim 10mm strap, but most wearers find the durability worth it.

Plastic clips

Plastic clips, often called plastic J-clips or plastic dog clips, do the same job as metal hooks but are lighter and completely metal-free. They're usually the most cost-effective option and won't scratch cards or holders. Because they contain no metal, they're also the right choice for MRI suites and sites with metal detectors.

We fit black plastic clips to our NHS lanyards with a plastic clip, VOLUNTEER lanyards, and SIXTH FORM lanyards, which suit schools, charities and large volunteer teams. Plastic is less hard-wearing than metal over years of heavy use, so for long-term staff lanyards a metal clip tends to last longer.

Other lanyard attachments

Beyond the four main clip types, you may come across lanyards with other fittings. A split ring works like a keyring and is better for keys, fobs and USB sticks than for ID cards. A bulldog clip grips paper or card badges that have no slot or hole, which is handy for printed event badges. A mobile phone loop is a thin cord for attaching phones and small devices, and a detachable buckle partway down the strap lets the wearer remove their card or keys without taking the lanyard off.

Double-ended lanyards have a clip at each end of the strap. They attach to two slots on a landscape card, which stops it from twisting so the photo and name always face forwards. If you need any of these for a specific application, get in touch, and we'll help you find the right option.

Lanyard clip types compared

Safety breakaways and why they matter

The breakaway isn't the clip at the end of the lanyard, but it's the most important safety feature on it. It's a plastic connector at the back of the neck that pulls apart if the lanyard is grabbed or caught on machinery, a door handle or equipment, then clips straight back together afterwards. Every lanyard we sell has one fitted as standard.

For higher-risk settings such as mental health wards, paediatrics and dementia care, our NHS lanyards are also available with double or triple breakaways. Each additional breakaway is another independent release point, which makes it even more likely the lanyard will give way safely if someone pulls on it.

How to choose the right lanyard clip

Matching the clip to your card or holder

Every lanyard clip needs something to hook onto. Punched cards, such as our FOTODEK slot punch cards and hole punch cards, attach directly to the clip, while unpunched cards need an ID card holder. If you're using a double-ended lanyard with landscape cards, choose cards with two slot punches. It's best not to punch access control cards yourself, as it's easy to cut through the internal antenna and stop the card from working.

Choosing a clip for your setting

Start with how the card is used. If it stays on the lanyard all day, a lobster clip gives the most security. If people regularly unclip their card or swap badges, a trigger or dog clip is quicker, and for cards presented at readers throughout the day, a badge reel on the end of the lanyard is often the most practical answer.

Then think about the environment and budget. Healthcare and education settings should put breakaways first. Metal-free areas need plastic clips, while outdoor, industrial and construction sites benefit from tougher metal dog or lobster clips. For events and short-term volunteer programmes, plastic clips keep costs down, but for staff lanyards worn every day for a year or more, metal clips usually work out better value.

What is the most secure type of lanyard clip?

The lobster clip is the most secure type of lanyard clip. Its spring-loaded lever closes into a full loop, so an ID card or holder can't slide off by accident.

What's the difference between a trigger clip and a dog clip?

Both are metal hooks with a sprung gate that snaps shut after you attach a card. A trigger clip is usually a slimmer J-shaped hook, often with a swivel, while a dog clip is a chunkier, more heavy-duty design similar to the fitting on a dog lead.

Are plastic lanyard clips safer than metal ones?

Not for the wearer, as that job belongs to the safety breakaway at the back of the neck. Plastic clips are metal-free, though, which makes them the right choice for MRI suites and sites with metal detectors.

Do all lanyards come with a breakaway?

Not every lanyard on the market has one, but every lanyard we sell includes a safety breakaway as standard. Our NHS lanyards are also available with double or triple breakaways for clinical settings.

Can I attach an ID card directly to a lanyard clip?

Yes, as long as the card has a slot or hole punch. Otherwise, use an ID card holder, which also protects the card from wear and scratches.

Which lanyard clip is best for NHS staff?

Most NHS staff use a metal trigger clip because it's quick to attach and remove. In patient-facing areas, choose a lanyard with double or triple breakaways, and switch to a plastic clip wherever metal-free equipment is required.

Find the right lanyard clip for your team

The right lanyard clip comes down to how your cards are used. Lobster clips offer the most security, trigger and dog clips are quicker day-to-day, and plastic clips suit budget orders and metal-free areas. Whichever you choose, make sure there's a safety breakaway at the back of the neck.

You can browse our full range of plain lanyards, pre-printed lanyards and NHS lanyards, all with no minimum order and same-day dispatch on in-stock items ordered before 2:30pm. If you're not sure which clip suits your site, contact our UK-based team and we'll help you choose, or ask about samples before placing a bulk order.