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How to Choose The Right Lanyard Width and Length

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31 May, 2025

ID Cards have utmost significance as these play an essential part in life nowadays for identification, security, attendance, Tracking and convenience. A lanyard is a fundamental accessory that helps display and carry an ID Card conveniently and visibly. Lanyards are cords, straps, or ribbons commonly used in workplaces, schools, events and conferences to hold ID Badges. Lanyards are seen as a small accessory, but it is of great value, and choosing the right lanyards is a crucial decision, preferring the ideal width and length that contributes to enhanced comfort, functionality and visibility. Selecting improper length can make it awkward to wear ID Badges, that's why it became mandatory to understand all about ID Card Lanyards. 

In this article, we will delve into diverse forms of lanyards, width and length, different materials and essential features. 

Common lanyards Width

Width is a horizontal measurement of the strap, it refers to the measurement of how wide something is from side to side. There are some common widths of ID Card Lanyards which are as follows:-

3/8 inch or 10mm

The Lanyards of 10mm width are suitable for frequent uses as it is lightweight and slim offering enough space for small logos, texts or branding. These lanyards are ideal for events, Trade shows, conferences, etc., which suit minimalist branding and lighter attachments. 

5/8 inch or 15mm

15mm is the standard size of Lanyards which offers balance between comfort and Visibility. These width lanyards provide more space for branding as these are perfect for printing logos, slogans, or full-colour designs using screen printing, heat transfer etc. These lanyards are excellent for Corporate environments, educational institutions, etc.

3/4 inch or 20mm

The lanyards with a width of 20 mm are comfortable with heavier attachments; this size provides more branding space and stability. They can carry the logo, tagline, name of the company, and school nicely. The greater print area makes it perfect for promotional and corporate branding. 

1 inch or 25mm

A 1-inch lanyard is the widest standard size, ideal for bold branding and heavier attachments. The lanyards are durable and suitable for long-term use. These are great for high-visibility marketing. These width lanyards are mainly used in Corporate branding, conventions, and outdoor or rugged work environments. 

Common Lanyards Length

Length refers to how long a lanyard is. It is a measurement of something from end to end. Some common lengths of lanyards are as follows:-

Standard Adult Length(34-38 inch)

The most common length of Lanyards lies between 34 and 38 as it is ideal for most adults. This Length lanyard can be worn easily by office employees, college students and middle and high school students as it sits comfortably mid-chest, making easy identification. 

Student/Kids Length(28-32 inch)

Another common length of lanyards suitable for elementary and middle schools, field trips, camps, Youth events, etc., is of length lying between 28 to 32 inches. It is designed specifically for younger users’ safety, comfort and usability. 

Adjustable Options Available 

Modern ID Card Lanyards provide Adjustable options that allow users to change the length to suit their comfort, safety, or specific use. These are especially used to meet the versatile needs of mixed-age groups, staff with different heights etc. The features that complement Adjustable length include sliding Buckle, Retractable Lanyards, Adjustable Buckle clips, etc. One of the prestigious ID Cards providers, IVYPrints provide Adjustable lanyards Online as they understand different demands of different users that's why they provide Lanyards which can be adjusted easily.

Length affects Comfort and Safety

Buyers generally overlook the importance of lanyards’ Length. They only focus on design but this is not a good decision as length affects comfort and safety, so it is necessary that buyers must pay enough attention towards it. As ID Cards are worn around the neck, so it must be of size that is fit for the neck these should not be neither tight nor loose to ensure comfort and safety of ID Card users. 

Lanyards Materials

There are different types of lanyards material which is used to make ID Card lanyards; Users can choose material based on comfort, use case and budget. The materials are as follows:-

Polyester Lanyards

These lanyards are known for their premium look at affordable prices; in the recent scenario, polyester lanyards are most popular in schools, and businesses mostly use these lanyards as they are resistant to wear and tear, look very attractive and highly durable.

Nylon Lanyards

The second main type of lanyard material is nylon lanyards, these are similar to that of polyester although nylon lanyards are thicker and have fine texture, they stand against fading, it has natural sheen which gives it a Shiny and Sleek look.

Woven Lanyards

Another main Lanyard with an attractive look is woven lanyards, as the name implies in these types of lanyards the name of organization, logo is woven directly on polyester straps, this gives professional look with slightly raised design and texture. These lanyards are a bit expensive also.

Tubular Lanyards 

Tubular Lanyard material is a new-generation material that is an alternative to plain-woven fabrics. This material is woven into a tube-like shape, which gives the lanyards a soft texture and casual feel. This material is cheaper than flat polyester. 

Eco-friendly Options 

Eco-friendly lanyards are great substitutes for past plastic lanyards as these are made from environmentally conscious materials like recycled plastic bottles, bamboo fibres, organic cotton, recycled metal components, etc. They have numerous advantages like enhanced brand reputation, easy customization, durability, and environment friendliness. 

Recommended Sizes By User Group

All the above information will be beneficial if we know what is the ideal width or length for a certain group. Choosing the right lanyard size ensures comfort, safety and practicality. Below, we break down the ideal lanyard sizes for various user groups to help you make the best choice.

School Students

ID Cards are a must-have for Schools as they serve essential features like identification, security, attendance Tracking, convenience, etc. That's why every school invests in ID Cards. But What Should school students’ Lanyards be like? It is one of the main concerns of buyers. So these lanyards must be of 3/8 or 5/8 inch width, which will ensure proper space for printing containing essential information like logo, tagline, and everything effectively. Length should be between 28 to 32 inches ensuring proper fitting around the neck. School students' lanyards must be made of polyester material as this material is suitable for daily usage and custom printing. Also, these lanyards must include breakaway safety clips to prevent accidents if the lanyard is pulled or caught.

Coaching Students

Another educational sector which has wide usage of ID Cards are Coaching centres. ID cards are important in Coaching centres for identity verification, security, professionalism, Branding etc. The lanyard size of coaching students is larger than that of School students' Lanyards. The width is commonly 5\8 inch giving enough space for printing the name, logo of the coaching institute. Length of these lanyards are a bit long, lying between 32 to 36 inches. These are generally made up of nylon material which make it suitable for daily wear due to high durability and longevity. 

School/Coaching Staff

Staff ID Cards play a vital role in the efficient, secure and smooth operation of educational institutions. So it is necessary that staff id cards must be attractive, and to make them eye-astonishing lanyards play an important role. Teachers' lanyards width must be 1 inch to offer greater comfort for all day usage, better visibility, professional appearance and more printing space. The length should be long from students' lanyards lying between 34 to 38 to handle or wear it easily. The materials used in teachers' lanyards are generally polyester or woven which provide them a premium look and stand resistant against daily wear and tear. 

Event Staff/Volunteers

ID cards play a crucial role in the smooth and secure management of events-whether small gatherings or large-scale conferences, ID Cards are must have. The lanyards of events are generally multicolour made up of eco-friendly materials, polyester for clear logo display and enhanced branding. The size of event staff/ Volunteers lanyards must be enough for visibility and comfort during long hours. The width must range to 1 inch and length must lay between 34 to 38 inches for better branding and comfort. 

Additional Features to Consider 

There are some features which must be Included in ID Card Lanyards for enhanced Security and better user experience these are as follows:-

Breakaway Safety Clips 

Breakaway safety clips in ID Card Lanyards are an important security feature designed to prevent choking and injury. This clip is generally located at the back of the neck area of the lanyard, and it breaks when a certain amount of force is applied avoiding injury. After breaking away most clips can be snapped back for reuse purposes. 

Badge Holders

Badge id card Holders are Protective accessories used to hold and ID Cards. They are commonly attached to lanyards and used in workplaces, schools, conferences and events. These Holders are important for card protection, improved Visibility, professional appearance, and security and access control. 

Metal Hooks

Another important feature that should be in ID cards is Metal hooks, these are the attachment hardware at the end of a lanyard used to connect to Badge Holders. These are known for their durability, strength and professional appearance. 

Retractable Reels

Retractable reels are a modern feature for easy scanning and enhanced access. These are small, spring-loaded devices that let you extend and retract your ID Card without detaching it with a lanyard. Making it a useful feature in workplaces for enhanced and frequent scanning, tapping. 

Double Clip Lanyards 

Double clip lanyards are specially designed to hold ID Cards effectively. It has two attachment points, one on each side of the lanyard. Instead of having one single hook in the centre, these lanyards have clips on the left and right ends, preventing flipping of id cards.

Custom Printing 

Custom printing refers to the printing with customization as per the demand of Buyers. Custom printing adds logos, texts, colors or designs to lanyards allowing organization to reinforce branding, improve Visibility creating professional appearance. 

Quick Tips

Here are some tips which a buyer must know before ordering ID Cards Lanyards for enhanced results:-

Choose a Reliable Provider 

The quality of lanyards depends on Provider, as a buyer can only give his demands and needs to Provider but to give the best result which satisfies the buyer is of Supplier making it mandatory to choose a reliable provider like IVYPrints, Jaipur who leave no stone unturned in discharging their duties, they provide different types of lanyards like Custom lanyard, multicolor lanyard, polyester, nylon, satin and recycled fabrics lanyard with advanced features. 

Go Wider for Logo Visibility 

Logos hold an important place, as it is a symbol through which brand is known and to make popularity of your institution, company, event etc. it is necessary that logo is clearly visible and it will only be possible when the width of lanyards are expanded. So, for the enhanced branding and visibility the width must be 3/4 inch, 25mm.

Go shorter For Kids

Lanyards designed without consideration of a child's size and safety can pose risks. As the standard lanyard size of kids is useless, for them buyers must go for shorter size like 28mm length to Prevent choking and strangulation risks, distraction and providing better fit to small children, improved Visibility. 

Choose Materials based on usage

As we know there are different types of lanyards material but which type of material is suitable for different working environments? It is one of the main concerns so, the materials must be chosen based on usage like for schools and offices polyester, Tubular, satin is best as they provide premium look in affordable prices. For outdoor work environments buyers must choose durable, weather-resistant and safe material like nylon which stand strong against water and sun exposure.

Add features that improve safety and function

To increase the efficiency of lanyards, buyers must include the features that improve safety like breakaway safety clips, badge Holders, metal hooks, double clip lanyards and adjustable buckles.

Ask Sample Kit before bulk Ordering 

Whenever you are placing order for ID Cards, lanyards, accessories from any provider you must ask for Sample Kit as sample kit ensures the quality of product and gives you all types of products that a provider is providing, after checking the quality of Sample kits products and believing that provider is able to fulfill you needs place your bulk order.

Conclusion 

In conclusion, lanyards are crucial as these are cords, straps which are used to hold ID Cards and worn around the neck, so a buyer must choose a right lanyard which has proper size, enhanced printing, and best material to have better comfort, safety and enhanced brand identity. A lanyard is seen as a small accessory but it can make a big difference when a buyer carefully selects size, material and safety features by contributing in enhanced results. 

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