An eyelet and an aglet are two different parts of a laced shoe.
The eyelet is the small hole through which the shoelace passes. It may have a metal, plastic, or stitched edge for support.
The aglet is the firm tip at the end of the shoelace. It helps the lace pass through the eyelet and keeps the lace fibers together.
Here is the easiest way to remember the difference:
The aglet goes through the eyelet.
The words are related because the two parts work together, but they do not name the same object.
Quick Answer
Eyelet means the small opening in a shoe, piece of clothing, or other material through which a lace or cord passes.
Aglet means the small, firm covering on the end of a shoelace or cord.
| Context | Best Word | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The hole in a shoe | Eyelet | The lace passes through it |
| The tip of a shoelace | Aglet | It covers and firms the lace end |
| A broken metal ring on a sneaker | Eyelet | The ring surrounds the lace hole |
| A frayed shoelace end | Aglet | The protective tip is damaged or missing |
| Threading a shoe | Both | The aglet passes through each eyelet |
Cambridge defines an eyelet as a small hole in material, often protected around its edge, through which a lace, string, or cord can pass. Merriam-Webster defines an aglet as a plain or decorative tag covering the end of a lace.
Eyelet vs Aglet at a Glance
The main difference is based on location and purpose:
- Eyelet: The opening in the shoe
- Aglet: The firm covering at the lace tip
- Eyelet location: On the shoe
- Aglet location: On both ends of the shoelace
- Eyelet purpose: Holds and guides the lace
- Aglet purpose: Makes the lace easier to thread and helps stop the end from coming apart
Think of a needle and a needle hole.
The eyelet acts like the hole. The aglet acts like the firm point that passes through it.
What Is an Eyelet?
An eyelet is a small hole made to receive a cord, lace, string, hook, or other fastener.
On a sneaker or boot, eyelets usually appear in two rows along the upper part of the shoe. You pass the shoelace through them before tying the shoe.
Some shoe eyelets have visible metal rings. Others are covered with plastic, leather, fabric, or strong stitching. The exact design may change, but the opening is still called an eyelet. Major dictionaries describe an eyelet as a small opening designed to receive a cord or lace, often with a strengthened edge.
Simple eyelet definition
An eyelet is the small hole through which a shoelace passes.
Examples of eyelets
You can find eyelets on:
- Sneakers
- Boots
- Dress shoes
- Hoodies
- Corsets
- Jackets
- Tarps
- Curtains
- Belts
- Craft projects
In footwear, the word normally refers to the lace holes.
Eyelet example
Suppose the metal ring around one lace hole falls out of your sneaker.
You could say:
- One of my shoe’s eyelets is broken.
- The lace keeps catching on the damaged eyelet.
- I pulled the shoelace through the top eyelet.
Each sentence refers to the opening on the shoe.
What Is an Aglet?
An aglet is the firm covering at the end of a shoelace, drawstring, ribbon, or cord.
Most everyday shoelace aglets are made from plastic or metal. The aglet holds the lace end together and gives it a narrow, firm shape.
This shape makes the lace easier to push through an eyelet. It also helps stop the woven fibers from separating and fraying. Merriam-Webster defines the aglet as the tag covering a lace end, while specialist shoelace references explain that the tip also helps with threading and prevents unraveling.
Simple aglet definition
An aglet is the small, firm tip at the end of a shoelace.
Common aglet materials
Aglets may be made from:
- Clear plastic
- Colored plastic
- Metal
- Wrapped thread
- Heat-sealed material
- Decorative metal coverings
The material does not change the basic name. A plastic lace tip and a metal lace tip can both be called aglets.
Aglet example
Suppose the plastic tip falls off your shoelace and the end begins to spread apart.
You could say:
- The aglet came off my shoelace.
- This lace is hard to thread because its aglet is broken.
- The boots have silver metal aglets.
These sentences refer to the tips of the laces, not the holes in the shoes.
What Is the Main Difference Between an Eyelet and an Aglet?
The main difference is where each object is found.
An eyelet is part of the shoe.
An aglet is part of the shoelace.
The eyelet remains on the shoe when you remove the lace. The aglets come out with the shoelace because they are attached to its ends.
Compare these examples:
- The shoe has twelve eyelets.
- The shoelace has two aglets.
- Push the aglet through the first eyelet.
- A damaged aglet may not fit easily through a small eyelet.
The last example shows how the two objects work together.
Are Eyelet and Aglet the Same Thing?
No. They are not the same object, and they are not different spellings of one word.
An eyelet is an opening.
An aglet is a lace tip.
Using the wrong word changes the meaning of the sentence.
Incorrect
- The plastic eyelet fell off the end of my shoelace.
Correct
- The plastic aglet fell off the end of my shoelace.
The object is attached to the lace end, so aglet is correct.
Incorrect
- Put the lace through the aglets in the shoe.
Correct
- Put the lace through the eyelets in the shoe.
The sentence refers to openings in the shoe, so eyelets is correct.
How Eyelets and Aglets Work Together
Eyelets and aglets make lacing a shoe easier.
The eyelets create an organized path for the shoelace. As you pull the lace tighter, the two sides of the shoe move closer together.
The aglet gives each lace end enough firmness to pass through the eyelets. Without an aglet, the soft fibers may spread apart, bend, or catch on the edge of the hole.
A simple lacing action works like this:
- Hold the aglet at one end of the lace.
- Push it through the first eyelet.
- Pull the lace until enough length has passed through.
- Guide the aglet through the next eyelet.
- Repeat the process on both sides of the shoe.
A shoelace reference describes a lace as having a woven body and hardened ends that pass through a shoe’s eyelets.
Is the Tip of a Shoelace an Eyelet or an Aglet?
The tip of a shoelace is an aglet.
It is not an eyelet.
This is one of the most common questions connected with these words because many people know the object but do not know its name.
Use this rule:
If it is attached to the end of the lace, it is an aglet.
You may also hear informal descriptions such as:
- Shoelace tip
- Lace tip
- Plastic lace end
- Metal lace end
- Shoelace cap
These descriptions are understandable, but aglet is the precise word.
What Is the Shoelace Hole Called?
The hole through which a shoelace passes is called an eyelet.
Use this rule:
If it is an opening in the shoe, it is an eyelet.
A shoe can have several pairs of eyelets. The exact number depends on the type, shape, and size of the shoe.
You may hear people call an eyelet a:
- Lace hole
- Shoelace hole
- Shoe hole
- Metal ring
- Lace opening
These informal descriptions may be clear in conversation. However, eyelet is the standard specific term.
Eyelet vs Grommet
An eyelet and a grommet can look similar, so these terms also cause confusion.
An eyelet is a small opening made for a lace, cord, or fastener. A grommet is usually a firm ring or insert placed around an opening to strengthen or protect it.
Merriam-Webster describes a grommet as an eyelet made from firm material that protects or strengthens an opening or protects an object passing through it. This means the terms can overlap in some product and craft descriptions.
For ordinary shoe vocabulary:
- Eyelet is the safest word for the lace hole.
- Grommet may refer more specifically to the reinforcing ring around a hole.
- Aglet still means the tip on the shoelace.
Do not call the shoelace tip a grommet.
What Happens When an Aglet Breaks?
When an aglet cracks, loosens, or falls off, the shoelace end may begin to fray.
A frayed end is wider and softer than a normal aglet. This can make the lace difficult to push through an eyelet.
You may notice:
- Loose threads
- A bent lace end
- A cracked plastic covering
- A missing metal tip
- Difficulty relacing the shoe
- A lace end that no longer holds its shape
A broken aglet does not mean the eyelet is broken. The problem is on the shoelace itself.
What Happens When an Eyelet Breaks?
An eyelet problem affects the opening in the shoe.
The metal or plastic ring may become loose. The fabric or leather around the opening may also tear.
Possible signs include:
- A loose metal ring
- A sharp edge
- Torn material around the hole
- A lace that catches while moving
- An opening that has become too wide
- Uneven pressure when the shoe is tied
A broken eyelet does not mean the aglet is damaged. The aglet may still be in good condition even when the shoe opening needs repair.
How to Pronounce Eyelet and Aglet
The words have different beginning sounds.
Eyelet pronunciation
Eyelet is pronounced:
EYE-luht
The first syllable sounds like the word eye.
Cambridge gives the pronunciation as /ˈaɪ.lət/ in both American and British English.
Aglet pronunciation
Aglet is pronounced:
AG-luht
The first syllable sounds like the beginning of agriculture.
Merriam-Webster gives the pronunciation as roughly “AG-luht.”
Memory aid
- Eyelet begins like eye
- Aglet begins with a short ag sound
The words do not rhyme exactly, but their matching -let endings may make them look related.
Parts of Speech and Word Forms
Both eyelet and aglet are mainly used as countable nouns.
| Form | Eyelet | Aglet |
| Singular noun | eyelet | aglet |
| Plural noun | eyelets | aglets |
| Common meaning | lace hole | lace tip |
| Usual location | shoe or material | end of a lace |
| Common material | metal, plastic, fabric, leather | plastic, metal, sealed lace material |
Singular examples
- This eyelet is loose.
- This aglet is cracked.
Plural examples
- The boot has metal eyelets.
- The shoelace has silver aglets.
Can eyelet be a verb?
Eyelet may appear as a verb in specialized manufacturing, sewing, or craft contexts, where it can mean adding eyelets to material.
In ordinary American English, however, people mainly use eyelet as a noun.
Can aglet be a verb?
Aglet is normally used as a noun. In standard everyday writing, it is not commonly used as a verb.
Eyelet and Aglet Example Sentences
Correct sentences with eyelet
- Push the lace through the bottom eyelet.
- One metal eyelet came loose from my boot.
- The sneaker has six pairs of eyelets.
- Dirt was stuck around the top eyelet.
- The lace caught on a sharp eyelet.
- These hiking boots use strong metal eyelets.
- The shoe repair shop replaced the broken eyelet.
- Start lacing at the lowest pair of eyelets.
- The final eyelet is close to the ankle.
- Her new shoes have gold-colored eyelets.
Correct sentences with aglet
- The plastic aglet fell off my shoelace.
- A metal aglet can add a decorative finish.
- Hold the aglet while threading the lace.
- The broken aglet made the lace difficult to use.
- Both aglets matched the color of the sneaker.
- The clear plastic aglet had started to crack.
- He replaced the damaged lace because one aglet was missing.
- The firm aglet passed through the hole easily.
- Each end of the shoelace had a black aglet.
- The new laces came with silver aglets.
Sentences using both words
- Push the aglet through the first eyelet.
- The large aglet would not fit through the small eyelet.
- A cracked aglet kept catching on the metal eyelet.
- She guided each aglet through the shoe’s eyelets.
- The eyelet is on the shoe, while the aglet is on the lace.
- Check the aglets and eyelets before relacing the boots.
- The metal aglet scratched the painted eyelet.
- He pulled the aglet back through the final eyelet.
Common Mistakes and Quick Fixes
Mistake 1: Calling the shoelace tip an eyelet
Incorrect:
- The eyelet at the end of my lace broke.
Correct:
- The aglet at the end of my lace broke.
An aglet is attached to the lace.
Mistake 2: Calling the shoe hole an aglet
Incorrect:
- Thread the lace through each aglet.
Correct:
- Thread the lace through each eyelet.
An eyelet is the hole in the shoe.
Mistake 3: Treating the words as spelling choices
Eyelet and aglet are not competing spellings.
Both words are correct because each names a different object.
Mistake 4: Assuming every eyelet has a metal ring
Many eyelets are reinforced with metal, but not all of them have a visible metal ring. Some are stitched, punched, covered, or built into the shoe material.
The opening can still be called an eyelet.
Mistake 5: Using aglet for the entire shoelace
An aglet is only the small covering at the end.
The long woven cord is the shoelace.
Mistake 6: Confusing aglet with ankle
The words may appear near each other in shoe descriptions, but they name different things.
- Aglet: Lace tip
- Ankle: Part of the body above the foot
Synonyms and Related Terms
Neither word has many perfect synonyms because each names a specific object.
Closest plain alternatives for eyelet
- Lace hole
- Shoelace hole
- Cord opening
- Reinforced hole
- Lace opening
These phrases explain the meaning, but eyelet is usually more precise.
Closest plain alternatives for aglet
- Lace tip
- Shoelace tip
- Cord tip
- Lace-end covering
- Shoelace cap
Again, aglet is the exact term.
Related shoe terms
- Shoelace
- Lace
- Tongue
- Upper
- Vamp
- Sole
- Insole
- Heel
- Toe box
- Lace hook
- Grommet
These words name other parts of shoes or lacing systems. They are not synonyms for eyelet or aglet.
Word History
Eyelet origin
Eyelet is related to an older French word meaning a small eye. The name makes sense because the round opening can look like a tiny eye.
Merriam-Webster traces the word through Middle English and Anglo-French forms connected with the word for “eye.” Oxford also describes its history through Old French and Latin roots related to the eye.
Aglet origin
Aglet came into English through a French word connected with a needle or pin.
The history matches the object’s function. An aglet creates a narrow, firm point that can be guided through a small opening.
Merriam-Webster traces aglet through Middle French forms linked with words for a needle or pin. The Online Etymology Dictionary also explains that the lace tag was designed to help a lace pass through an eyelet.
A Simple Memory Trick
Use this short rule:
Eyelet = eye-shaped opening
Aglet = attached lace tip
You can also remember the complete action:
Hold the aglet and push it through the eyelet.
Another useful test is to ask where the object is located:
- Is it on the shoe? It is probably an eyelet.
- Is it on the end of the shoelace? It is an aglet.
Which Word Should You Use?
Choose eyelet when you mean:
- A shoelace hole
- A small cord opening
- A reinforced hole in material
- A metal or stitched lace opening
- A place through which a lace passes
Choose aglet when you mean:
- The tip of a shoelace
- A plastic covering on a lace end
- A metal lace tip
- A firm end that helps with threading
- A covering that keeps lace fibers together
Use both words when describing the lacing process:
- Guide the aglet through each eyelet.
- The aglet was too wide for the eyelet.
- The shoe has strong eyelets and decorative aglets.
FAQs
What is the difference between an eyelet and an aglet?
An eyelet is the small hole in a shoe through which a shoelace passes. An aglet is the firm plastic, metal, or sealed tip at the end of the shoelace.
What is the plastic end of a shoelace called?
The plastic end of a shoelace is called an aglet. Aglets may also be made from metal or other firm materials.
What is the shoelace hole called?
The hole through which the lace passes is called an eyelet. It may have a metal or plastic ring around it, but some eyelets are simply stitched or reinforced openings.
Does the aglet go through the eyelet?
Yes. When you lace a shoe, you hold the aglet and guide it through each eyelet.
Is an eyelet part of the lace?
No. An eyelet is usually part of the shoe or another piece of material. The aglet is attached to the shoelace.
Is an aglet part of the shoe?
The aglet is part of the shoelace rather than the main shoe. When you remove the shoelace, the aglets come out with it.
Is an eyelet the same as a grommet?
The terms can overlap. An eyelet is a small opening for a lace or cord. A grommet is usually a firm ring used to reinforce or protect an opening. In normal shoe descriptions, eyelet is the safest name for the lace hole.
What does an aglet do?
An aglet keeps the lace end firm and together. It also makes the lace easier to push through an eyelet and helps prevent fraying.
Can aglets be metal?
Yes. Aglets may be made from plastic, metal, wrapped material, or another firm covering. Metal aglets are sometimes used for strength or decoration.
What is the plural of eyelet and aglet?
The plural of eyelet is eyelets. The plural of aglet is aglets.
How many aglets does one shoelace have?
A normal shoelace has two aglets—one at each end.
How do you remember eyelet vs aglet?
Remember this sentence:
The aglet goes through the eyelet.
The aglet is the lace tip. The eyelet is the hole.
Conclusion
The difference between eyelet and aglet is simple once you know where each part is located.
An eyelet is the small opening in a shoe through which the lace passes.
An aglet is the firm covering at the end of the shoelace.
Remember:
Eyelet means hole. Aglet means lace tip.
Both parts help the lacing system work. The eyelets guide and hold the lace, while the aglets make the lace easier to thread and help keep its ends from coming apart.
