35 Different Types of Pliers and Their Uses with Pictures

Published: 14 Jul 2025

Every toolbox needs pliers because they’re useful for many tasks. Whether you’re fixing wires or gripping objects, there’s a plier for the job. But did you know there are over 30 types of pliers, each with a special use? Let’s explore them in a fun, simple way!

What are Pliers?

Pliers are handheld tools used to grip, bend, twist, or cut materials. Made from strong metal, their handles are covered to help you grip them better. You’ll find them in workshops, homes, garages, and even jewelry shops.

Parts of a Plier

Handles
Handles are the two arms you hold. They’re often covered with rubber or plastic for grip. Some are insulated to prevent electric shock.
Jaws
Jaws are the front ends that close when you press the handles. They grip, bend, or cut materials. Many have serrated surfaces for a better grip.
Cutting Edge
Some pliers have a sharp edge near the pivot for cutting wires. It increases cutting force with less effort.
Pivot Point (Joint)
The pivot connects both arms and lets the jaws move. Some pliers have adjustable pivots for gripping different sizes.
Teeth
Teeth are grooves in the jaws that improve grip and prevent slipping. Flat-jaw pliers don’t have teeth to keep delicate items safe.
Crimping Section
Found in crimping pliers, this area presses metal connectors onto wires. It flattens the connector for a secure hold.
Spring (Optional)
Some pliers have a spring between the handles to push them open after each use. This makes repeated tasks faster and easier on the hands.

Different Kinds of Pliers and their Functions

1. Combination Pliers

Combination pliers are multi-purpose hand tools with flat gripping jaws at the front, a rounded gripping section behind them, and cutting edges near the pivot. They combine three functions—gripping, bending, and cutting—into one tool.
Uses: Commonly used by electricians and mechanics for wire cutting, gripping cables, and twisting wires during installation work.

2. Needle Nose Pliers

Needle-nose pliers have long, narrow jaws that taper to a sharp point for precise work. This shape makes them perfect for precise gripping and working in tight or narrow spaces.
Uses: Ideal for electricians, jewelry makers, and hobbyists who need to bend wire or handle small parts in confined areas.

3. Monkey Plier

Monkey pliers, also known as adjustable or slip-lock pliers, have a curved jaw and an adjustable mechanism that allows for various grip widths. They provide a strong gripping force on round and flat surfaces.
Uses: Common in plumbing and mechanical work for gripping pipes, rods, and bolts.

4. Grip Plier

Grip pliers are hand tools with a strong locking mechanism that allows the user to clamp the jaws around an object and keep them in place without continuous pressure.
Uses: Used for gripping, holding, and turning objects firmly, especially when both hands are needed elsewhere.

5. Hose Pinch Pliers

Hose pinch pliers are built to block fluid flow in hoses without leaving marks or causing leaks.
Uses: Used in automotive and plumbing tasks to stop fluid flow in rubber hoses during maintenance.

6. Flat Pliers

Flat pliers feature wide, flat jaws without teeth. They offer a smooth grip on delicate surfaces without scratching or marring the material.
Uses: Mostly used in electronics, metal shaping, and jewelry making to bend, flatten, or hold materials gently.

7. Locking Pliers

Locking pliers are adjustable pliers with a locking mechanism that allows them to clamp onto objects tightly and stay in place until released manually.
Uses: Commonly used to hold parts steady during cutting, welding, or mechanical assembly.

8. Rivet Pliers

Rivet pliers, or riveters, are tools designed to set rivets through two or more layers of material by pulling a pin through a rivet body to expand and lock it in place.
Uses: Used in metal fabrication, construction, and sheet metal work to join panels or sheets permanently.

9. Bent Needle Nose Pliers

Bent needle nose pliers are similar to standard needle nose pliers but have a curved tip (usually at a 45 or 90-degree angle), which improves access in tight or awkward spaces.
Uses: Ideal for retrieving or positioning wires and components in electronics, jewelry, or automotive repairs.

10. Lineman Pliers

Lineman pliers are heavy-duty pliers with wide, flat jaws and strong cutting blades near the pivot.
Uses: Used by electricians to cut, twist, and splice heavy wires and cables.

11. Groove Joint Pliers

Groove joint pliers have a slip-joint design with multiple grooves that allow the jaw size to be adjusted to grip objects of different widths.
Uses: Perfect for gripping pipes and fittings of all sizes during plumbing tasks.

12. Mechanical Pliers

Mechanical pliers are precision tools used by mechanics for detailed and accurate adjustments, typically in automotive and machinery maintenance.
Uses: Great for gripping, tightening, or loosening small machine parts during repairs.

13. Slip Joint Pliers

Slip joint pliers feature a pivot point that can slide to adjust the size of the jaws, allowing for a wider range of object sizes to be gripped.
Uses: Versatile pliers used for general household repairs, gripping, and light turning tasks.

14. Snap Ring Pliers

Snap ring pliers are specialized pliers designed with narrow tips for installing or removing snap rings (also called circlips) found in machine parts and engines.
Uses: Commonly used in engine assembly, gearboxes, and other mechanical equipment.

15. Hog Ring Pliers

These pliers are made to close hog rings, which are small metal clips used for fastening fabric, wires, or mesh.

Uses: They are commonly used to attach covers in car seats, build wire fences, or fasten mesh in cages and bags.

16. Retaining Ring Pliers

Retaining ring pliers are made to install and remove retaining rings that fit into grooves on shafts or in bores, holding components in place.
Uses: Used in mechanical assemblies such as gearboxes and motors.

17. Vise-Grip Pliers

Vise-grip pliers are a type of locking pliers with strong jaws and a pressure adjustment screw. They can lock tightly onto objects and stay clamped without hand effort.
Uses: Useful for clamping, turning, or holding items during welding or repairs.

18. Fencing Pliers

Fencing pliers are multi-purpose tools that combine the features of a hammer, wire cutter, staple remover, and gripping jaw.
Uses: Commonly used in fence installation to cut wires, remove nails, and twist fence ties.

19. Jewelry Pliers

Jewelry pliers are small, lightweight, and precise tools made for delicate tasks like wire bending, shaping, or cutting.
Uses: Used in beadwork, wire wrapping, and other fine jewelry-making tasks.

20. Circlip Pliers

Circlip pliers are similar to snap ring pliers but specifically made for installing and removing internal or external circlips from shafts and bores.
Uses: Used in mechanical systems like engines, pumps, and gearboxes.

21. Long Nose Pliers

Long-nose pliers have extended, narrow jaws that offer better reach than regular needle-nose pliers.
Uses: Great for reaching inside small openings or placing wires deep into equipment.

22. Crimping Pliers

Crimping pliers are designed to attach metal connectors to the ends of wires by compressing (or crimping) them tightly.
Uses: Commonly used in electrical wiring and networking installations.

23. Waterpump Pliers

Waterpump pliers, also called channel locks, have angled jaws and a long handle. Their jaw width can be easily adjusted to fit large objects.
Uses: Best for plumbing jobs where you need to turn, tighten, or loosen pipes and fittings.

24. Round Nose Pliers

Round nose pliers have smooth, rounded tips that get narrower at the end. They are designed to shape wire into loops, curves, or circles.
Uses: Mainly used in jewelry making and crafting to form wire rings, loops, and curves.

25. Wire Twisting Pliers

Wire twisting pliers are designed with a built-in twisting mechanism that helps twist wires together quickly and evenly.
Uses: Commonly used in aircraft and electrical tasks to twist and fasten wires securely with a safety wire.

26. Carpenters’ Pincers

Carpenters’ pincers are pliers with curved jaws that allow for pulling nails or tacks without damaging surfaces.
Uses: Often used in carpentry to pull out nails from wood or to twist and tie wires during work.

27. Concreters’ Nippers

These are tough, blunt-edged pliers made for cutting steel wire or mesh used in concrete reinforcement.
Uses: Used in concrete work to trim and fasten rebar wire or metal mesh during building tasks.

28. Sheet Metal Pliers

Sheet metal pliers have wide, flat jaws that provide better control when bending or folding sheet metal.
Uses: Often used in HVAC and metal fabrication work.

29. Ring Pliers

Ring pliers are used to expand or compress metal rings during the assembly or disassembly of components.
Uses: Helpful in mechanical, automotive, or jewelry applications.

30. Bail-Making Pliers

Bail-making pliers feature two round barrels of different sizes to form consistent loops and bails in wire or metal strips.
Uses: Widely used in jewelry making to create pendants, ear hooks, and wire links.

31. Oil Filter Pliers

Oil filter pliers have wide, angled jaws and a long handle to provide strong grip and leverage.
Uses: Used to take off or put on spin-on oil filters while servicing cars or other vehicles.

32. Piston Ring Pliers

Piston ring pliers are specially made to expand and install piston rings without bending or breaking them.
Uses: Used in engine repair and assembly work.

33. Diagonal Pliers

Diagonal pliers, also called side cutters, have sharp jaws set at an angle for cutting wire flush to a surface.
Uses: Perfect for trimming wires or cutting cable ties.

34. Battery Pliers

Battery pliers are compact tools designed to handle battery terminals without causing sparks or damage.
Uses: Used to tighten or remove battery cables in cars or trucks.

35. Brake Spring Pliers

Brake spring pliers are tools used for removing and installing the tight springs found in drum brakes.
Uses: Essential in automotive brake system repair.

To sum it up, understanding the different kinds of pliers helps you choose the right tool for every job.
Each type is designed with a specific purpose, whether it’s gripping, cutting, or shaping materials.
No matter the job size, using the right pliers helps you work faster, safer, and with less effort.

FAQs

Pliers meaning in Hindi

Pliers in Hindi are called “प्लास” (Plas).

What is the Plier tool price in India?

Prices start from ₹100 and go up depending on the size, type, and brand.

What is the purpose of pliers?

They help grip, twist, bend, or cut objects safely and easily.

How many different pliers are there?

There are more than 35 different types, each for a special task.

How are pliers classified?

Pliers are classified by use—gripping, cutting, bending, or crimping.

What are examples of pliers?

Examples include, combination pliers, needle-nose pliers and locking pliers.