Tragus Piercing Jewellery

Small placement, strict sizing

The tragus is the small flap of cartilage in front of the ear canal. It is a compact placement with very little room, which makes it the one where an oversized or badly chosen piece is felt immediately ā€” in headphones, on the phone, and against a pillow.

Gauge
16G (1.2mm)18G (1.0mm) also used
Post length
5mm ā€“ 6mmonce swelling has gone down
Best style
Flat back studlow profile, no butterfly back
Healing
6 ā€“ 12 monthscartilage, so slow to settle

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Getting the size right

  • Shorter than you think. The tragus is thin. Once swelling settles, 5mm or 6mm gives the neatest fit ā€” the same 8mm post that works on a conch will stick out and catch here.
  • Flat back, always. A butterfly back sits behind the tragus and presses towards the ear canal. A flat disc does not. This is a comfort issue, not a style one.
  • Keep the top small. A decorative top wider than roughly 5mm starts to interfere with in-ear headphones and the phone against your ear.

Not sure of your gauge or length? The Belora size guide walks through measuring in about 30 seconds, and our material page explains why every core piece is ASTM F136 titanium. If you would rather start from what other people already wear, the best reviewed pieces each hold 50+ reviews. Our materials and company standards page sets out exactly what we stock and how to check it.

Which style suits a tragus

  • Flat back labret stud

    The standard for tragus, healing or healed. Smooth disc behind, decorative top in front, nothing protruding into the canal.

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  • Threadless push pin

    The easiest style to change once healed ā€” the top presses into the post rather than screwing on. Popular for people who swap tops often.

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  • Small hoop

    Possible on a fully healed tragus, but it sits close to the face and catches more than a stud. Choose the smallest diameter that clears the flap.

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Common questions

What size post do I need for a tragus piercing?
5mm to 6mm suits most healed tragus piercings. A fresh piercing is fitted longer to allow for swelling. The tragus is thin, so a post that fits your conch will almost always be too long here.
Will a tragus stud press into my ear canal?
Not if you wear a flat back. A butterfly back sits behind the tragus and pushes towards the canal, which is uncomfortable and can cause irritation. A flat disc lies smooth against the back of the flap.
Can I wear headphones with a tragus piercing?
Over-ear headphones press on the piercing and are best avoided while healing. In-ear buds are usually fine with a low-profile flat back stud, but a wide decorative top will get in the way.
What gauge is a tragus piercing?
16G (1.2mm) is standard, with 18G (1.0mm) used by some piercers. Buy the gauge you were pierced at rather than assuming.
How long does a tragus piercing take to heal?
Typically 6 to 12 months. It is cartilage, so it heals on the same slow timeline as a helix rather than a lobe. Wait for your piercer to confirm before changing jewellery.

Go deeper

Other placements

Helix Conch Daith & Rook Septum Nose Belly & Navel

Sizes and healing times on this page are typical ranges, not guarantees ā€” anatomy varies, and healing differs from person to person. Your piercer has seen your piercing and we have not: check with them before changing jewellery, especially on a piercing that is still settling. Belora sells jewellery and does not provide medical advice.