The main types of nose piercings are the nostril, high nostril, double nostril, septum, bridge and rhino (vertical tip), plus three advanced placements: nasallang, Austin bar and septril. The nostril is the most common choice. Each placement passes through different tissue, so each one suits different jewelry and needs a different level of piercer skill.
This guide is for general information only and is not medical advice. Get pierced by a licensed professional piercer, and see a doctor if you notice signs of infection.
What Are the Main Types of Nose Piercings?
Nose piercings fall into three groups: nostril placements, septum placements and surface or tip placements. The table below shows where each one sits and which jewelry shapes piercers usually use.
| Placement | Where it sits | Tissue | Typical jewelry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nostril | Side of the nostril, in or near the crease | Skin and cartilage | Stud, L shape, screw, hoop once healed |
| High nostril | Higher up the side of the nose, toward the bridge | Skin and thicker cartilage | Flat back or L shape stud |
| Double nostril | Two piercings on one side, or one on each side | Skin and cartilage | Studs, or a stud and a hoop |
| Septum | The soft "sweet spot" under the cartilage that divides the nostrils | Soft tissue | Horseshoe, captive bead ring, clicker |
| Bridge | Horizontally across the top of the nose, between the eyes | Surface skin | Straight or curved barbell |
| Rhino (vertical tip) | Vertically through the tip of the nose | Skin and tip tissue | Curved barbell |
| Nasallang | One straight path through both nostrils and the septum | Cartilage and septum | Long straight barbell |
| Austin bar | Horizontally through the tip, in front of the septum | Tip tissue | Straight barbell |
| Septril | From the underside of the septum out through the tip | Septum and tip | Short barbell, usually on a stretched septum |
Nose piercing has a long history. Records trace it back more than 4,000 years in the Middle East, and it spread across South Asia centuries before Western youth cultures adopted nostril piercing in the 1960s, according to the nose piercing history overview.
The nose ranks among the most popular body piercing sites. A national survey of 5,000 people in France found that 11% of respondents with a body piercing had a nose piercing, and nose piercings were more common among women than men. The same survey found the ear (42%) and navel (24%) were more common sites (Kluger et al., Dermatology, 2019).
Read the abstract of the French national body piercing survey on PubMed.
Nostril, High Nostril and Double Nostril Piercings
A nostril piercing is a single piercing through the side of the nostril, usually placed in the natural crease line. WebMD describes it as a hole made on the outside of one nostril, in the crease line. It is the most popular nose placement because it suits studs and hoops and is simple to style.
A high nostril piercing sits higher on the side of the nose, closer to the bridge. Because it passes through thicker cartilage and sits under the inner nasal structure, flat back or L shape studs usually fit better than hoops. Ask your piercer whether your anatomy has enough room for this placement.
A double nostril piercing means two piercings on the same side or one on each side. Stacked pieces work the same way a curated ear does, so the ear piercing map is a useful reference for spacing and balance.
Septum Piercing: The Soft Sweet Spot
A septum piercing passes through the thin, soft tissue just below the cartilage that divides the nostrils. Piercers call this area the sweet spot. A correctly placed septum piercing avoids the cartilage itself.
Septal piercings are usually performed in the inferior fleshy part of the septum, not through the cartilage. A review in American Family Physician warns that piercing the septal cartilage can cause significant bleeding and a septal hematoma that is often accompanied by infection, which is why placement skill matters so much for this piercing (Meltzer, American Family Physician, 2005).
See the full American Family Physician review of body piercing complications. A septum can be flipped up with a horseshoe or retainer, which is one reason people choose it for work or school settings.
Bridge, Rhino and Other Tip Piercings
A bridge piercing goes horizontally through the skin at the top of the nose, between the eyes. Bridge piercings sit in surface skin rather than cartilage, so they can drift toward the surface over time. Most piercers use a straight or slightly curved barbell here.
A rhino piercing, also called a vertical tip piercing, passes vertically through the tip of the nose. The curved barbell shows one bead on top of the tip and one underneath. It is a visible, statement placement that takes a confident piercer and careful aftercare.
Advanced Nose Placements: Nasallang, Austin Bar and Septril
Nasallang, Austin bar and septril are advanced nose piercings that only experienced piercers perform. Each depends heavily on individual anatomy, so a consultation comes first.
- Nasallang: one long straight barbell passes through one nostril, the septum and the other nostril in a single line.
- Austin bar: a horizontal barbell crosses the tip of the nose without passing through the septum.
- Septril: a barbell runs from the underside of the septum out through the front of the tip, usually only after the septum has been stretched.
These placements are less studied in medical literature than nostril and septum piercings. Ask a piercer to assess your nose shape and explain the healing plan before you commit.
Nose Jewelry Styles by Placement
The right nose jewelry shape depends on the placement, the healing stage and how much the piece needs to stay put. The table matches common styles to the piercings they suit.
| Jewelry style | How it stays in | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Flat back stud | Threaded or threadless flat disc inside the nose | Nostril, high nostril, fresh piercings |
| L shape stud | Post bent at a right angle | Healed nostril piercings |
| Nose screw (corkscrew) | Curved post that twists into place | Healed nostril piercings |
| Nose bone | Small ball end held by snug fit | Healed nostril piercings only |
| Seamless or captive bead hoop | Continuous ring or ring with a bead | Healed nostril or septum |
| Clicker | Hinged ring that clicks shut | Healed septum or nostril |
| Curved or straight barbell | Threaded ball ends | Septum, bridge, rhino, nasallang, Austin bar |
The Glow Bloom Nose Ring shown above is an L shape style, while hoops such as the Halo Spark Nose Ring and the Double Glow Nose Ring suit a healed nostril. Check each product page for its gauge, size and material.
The Association of Professional Piercers accepts a short list of materials for fresh piercings, including ASTM F136 implant grade titanium, ASTM F138 surgical steel, niobium, platinum, inert glass, and nickel free gold of 14k or higher. The APP states that gold plated, gold filled and vermeil jewelry is not acceptable for fresh piercings, so fashion nose rings belong in fully healed piercings (APP, accessed October 2026).
Read the APP standards for initial piercing jewelry. To learn how plated finishes differ, see the gold filled vs gold plated vs vermeil guide. Jewelry size is the other half of fit: nostril jewelry is described by gauge (thickness) and length or inside diameter, and those numbers vary by placement.
How to Choose the Right Type of Nose Piercing
The best type of nose piercing is the one that suits your anatomy, your daily routine and the look you want. No placement is best for everyone, and a professional piercer can tell you which ones your nose can support.
- Lifestyle: a septum can be flipped up, while a bridge or rhino stays visible.
- Healing commitment: healing time varies by placement, from about six weeks for a septum to several months for a nostril, according to WebMD.
- Jewelry plans: if you want a hoop later, ask the piercer to place a nostril piercing with a hoop in mind.
- Sensitivity: if metals irritate your skin, read the hypoallergenic jewelry guide before choosing your next piece.
- Piercer and method: WebMD advises a licensed professional with a sterile needle, because piercing guns cannot be properly sterilized.
The WebMD nose piercing safety guide, medically reviewed in June 2026, covers what to expect at the studio. Store spare nose jewelry in a clean jewelry pouch so small pieces stay together.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nose Piercing Types
What kind of nose piercing is best?
The nostril piercing is the most common and versatile choice for a first nose piercing, because it accepts studs and, once healed, hoops. The septum is a strong alternative if you want a piercing you can flip up and hide. A 2019 survey of 5,000 people in France found that 11% of pierced respondents had a nose piercing. The best type still depends on your anatomy, so ask a licensed piercer to assess your nose first.
Is L shape or corkscrew better for a nose piercing?
An L shape stud is easier to insert and remove, while a nose screw (corkscrew) holds more securely because its curved post twists into place. Both are designed for healed nostril piercings. For a fresh piercing, the APP lists approved materials such as implant grade titanium, surgical steel, niobium, platinum and 14k or higher solid gold, and your piercer chooses the starter shape. Switch styles only after full healing.
What side should you get your nose pierced on?
No medical rule says one side is better than the other for a nose piercing. Most people choose based on their hair part, their best photo angle or the side they sleep on least, because pressure can irritate a healing piercing. Some cultural traditions favor one side. Ask your piercer to mark both sides and check them in a mirror before deciding, since the placement is permanent once healed.
Which nose piercing hurts the least?
Pain is personal, and no medical source ranks nose piercings by pain in a reliable way. Septum piercings pass through soft tissue when placed correctly in the sweet spot, while nostril and high nostril piercings pass through cartilage. The American Family Physician review notes that septal piercings are usually done in the fleshy part, not the cartilage. Your piercer can explain what to expect for your placement.
What is a nasallang piercing?
A nasallang is an advanced nose piercing in which one straight barbell passes through one nostril, the septum and the other nostril in a single line. It looks like two nostril studs from the outside. Because it crosses three areas at once, it depends heavily on anatomy and piercer skill. Book a consultation with an experienced professional piercer before choosing a nasallang.
Ready to style a healed piercing? Explore the EVRY nose rings collection and the body jewelry edit.
