Types of Pliers and What Each One Is For

Choose pliers by the job. Slip-joint pliers are for general gripping, tongue-and-groove pliers for pipes and large nuts, needle-nose pliers for small or tight spaces, locking pliers for clamping, linesman pliers for cutting and twisting wire, and diagonal cutters for snipping. For electrical work use insulated pliers rated to 1,000 V, and on nuts and bolts use a wrench instead of pliers.

Types of pliers at a glance

Type	Typical size	Best for	Not for
Slip-joint	6 to 10 in	General gripping and bending	Hard or large nuts
Tongue-and-groove (channel-lock)	7 to 12 in	Pipes, large nuts, wide grips	Fine work
Needle-nose	5 to 8 in	Small parts, tight spaces, bending wire	Heavy force
Locking (Vise-Grip style)	5 to 10 in	Clamping, holding a rounded nut	Finished surfaces
Linesman (side-cutting)	8 to 9 in	Cutting and twisting wire, pulling	Hardened wire
Diagonal cutters	5 to 8 in	Snipping wire and zip ties flush	Prying
Combination pliers	6 to 8 in	Gripping and cutting, general use	Heavy jobs

Sizes vary by maker; the length stamped on the handle is the overall length.

Slip-joint and combination pliers

Slip-joint pliers have a pivot that moves into two positions, so the jaws open to two widths. They are a general gripping tool for small and medium jobs, with a cutting edge near the pivot on many models.

Tongue-and-groove pliers

Tongue-and-groove pliers (often called channel-lock pliers) have a row of grooves, so the jaws open wide and the handles stay at a comfortable angle. They grip pipes and large round parts, and they make plumbing and general repairs easier. A 10 in pair is the usual all-round size.

Needle-nose pliers

Needle-nose pliers have long tapered jaws for small work: retrieving dropped screws, bending wire loops, holding small parts. Because the jaws are thin, they are not for heavy force.

Locking pliers

Locking pliers clamp onto a part and stay shut, which frees your hands. They hold a stripped or rounded bolt head, and clamp sheet metal for drilling and welding. The jaws leave marks, so protect any finished surface.

Linesman and diagonal pliers

Linesman pliers have flat jaws with a side cutter, and they cut, twist and pull wire. Diagonal cutters have angled blades that snip close to a surface, for wire and zip ties. For work on or near electrical wiring, use insulated handles rated to 1,000 V and switch the power off first.

Pliers vs wrenches

Pliers grip on two faces, which tends to round the corners of a hex nut. A wrench or socket grips all six faces. If a nut is already rounded, locking pliers or a chain wrench grip better than a wrench; for ordinary nuts, see wrench sizes in metric and SAE and ratcheting wrench sets.

Looking after pliers

• Keep pivots clean and put a drop of oil on them now and then.
• Don’t use pliers as hammers or to cut hardened wire, which nicks the cutting edges.
• Wipe tools dry after wet work to prevent rust.