Ear Piercing Names: A Guide to Ear Piercing Types and Locations
If you are thinking about a new ear piercing, the first thing you run into is the names: helix and forward helix, rook and daith, or tragus and anti-tragus are often confused. In this guide we have gathered the names of ear piercings from the outside in, where exactly they sit on the ear, their approximate healing times and their prices at our studio in Ümraniye, Istanbul. For service details, see our ear piercing page; for cartilage piercings, see the cartilage piercing page.
What are the names of ear piercings?
The table below lists the most common ear piercings by area. Healing times are averages; aftercare, ear anatomy and suitable jewelry can change how long it takes.
| Name | Where on the ear | Approx. healing time | Studio price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lobe | The lower, soft part of the ear | 6–8 weeks | Needle 400 TL · gun 200 TL |
| Upper lobe | 2nd and 3rd holes above the lobe | 6–8 weeks | 400 TL |
| Helix | The upper outer curve of the ear | 6–12 months | 450 TL |
| Forward helix | The front end of the helix facing the face | 6–12 months | 550 TL |
| Flat | The flat cartilage area inside the helix | 6–12 months | 550 TL |
| Hidden helix | A hidden hole on the inner lower part of the helix fold | 6–12 months | 550 TL |
| Industrial | Two holes in the upper ear, one straight bar | 6–12 months, sometimes longer | 650 TL |
| Auricle | On the ear rim between the helix and the lobe | 6–12 months | Ask for price |
| Snug | The inner ridge of the ear (anti-helix) | 6–12 months | Ask for price |
| Rook | The inner upper cartilage fold | 6–12 months | 550 TL |
| Daith | The fold just above the ear canal | 6–12 months | 750 TL |
| Tragus | The small cartilage in front of the ear canal | 6–12 months | 450 TL |
| Anti-tragus | The cartilage bump opposite the tragus | 6–12 months | Ask for price |
| Conch | The inner bowl of the ear | 6–12 months | 550 TL |
| Orbital | Two holes joined by the same ring | Depends on area | Ask for price |
Prices include surgical steel standard jewelry; for the current list, check the prices page. The piercing gun is used only for lobe piercings.
What piercings are there in the lobe area?
Lobe
This is the classic piercing in the soft lower tissue of the ear. Because the tissue is soft and has good blood flow, it has the shortest healing time on the ear; for most people it takes 6–8 weeks. It is a good start for a first piercing and for anyone who wants to begin an ear stack. At our studio the lobe can be pierced with a needle (400 TL) or with a piercing gun (200 TL), which is used only in this area; we explain the differences in our article piercing gun or needle . For more details, see lobe piercing guide.
Upper lobe (2nd and 3rd hole)
The second and third holes made above the first one are called upper lobe piercings. Rows of small stones or thin hoops give a graduated, tidy look. Enough space is left between the holes so the pieces of jewelry do not rub against each other. For details, see our second lobe piercing article. Ear piercing for babies is done from 1 year of age, with a parent present; for the process, see baby ear piercing guide.
What cartilage piercings are there on the ear rim?
All of the firm tissue above the lobe is cartilage. Because cartilage has weaker blood flow than the lobe, piercings in these areas take longer to heal and need more careful aftercare. For cartilage piercings our studio uses only sterile, single-use needles.
Helix
It is done on the curve along the upper outer rim of the ear and is the best-known cartilage piercing. It is worn with a small stone, a ball-end labret or, after healing, a thin hoop. Healing takes 6–12 months. It can be planned as a single hole, two holes one under the other (double helix) or three holes (triple helix). Details: helix piercing guide.
Forward helix
It is done on the front end of the helix fold that faces the face, close to the temple. It is popular with small, delicate stones and can be placed as a double or triple. Healing time is 6–12 months, like the helix. Details: forward helix piercing guide.
Flat and hidden helix
The flat is done on the wide, flat cartilage area on the inner side of the helix fold and stands out with flat-back labret jewelry. The hidden helix is placed on the inner lower part of the helix fold so it stays hidden when seen from the front. Both heal in 6–12 months. Details: flat and hidden helix guide.
Industrial
Two separate holes in the upper ear are joined by a single straight bar; the bar usually runs from the forward helix area to the back of the helix. Because the two holes heal together, the process can take 6–12 months, sometimes longer. The ear structure must allow the bar to sit straight; this is checked at the studio first. Details: industrial piercing guide.
Auricle and snug
The auricle is done on the middle part of the ear rim between the helix and the lobe; worn with a hoop, it highlights the outer line of the ear. The snug is placed horizontally on the inner ridge of the ear (anti-helix). The snug does not suit every ear; the tissue needs to be thick and defined enough. You can find more details in our auricle and snug guides.
What piercings are there in the inner ear?
Tragus
It is done on the small, thick cartilage bump in front of the ear canal. With small stone labrets it gives a simple, elegant look. Healing takes 6–12 months; people who use in-ear earphones need to be careful during healing. Details: tragus piercing guide.
Anti-tragus
It is done on the cartilage bump directly opposite the tragus, just above the lobe. Because this bump is not prominent enough on everyone, the ear anatomy is assessed first. On suitable ears, a small stone or a curved bar creates a nice balance.
Conch
It is done in the inner bowl of the ear. There are two types: the inner conch in the middle of the bowl and the outer conch on the flat area between the anti-helix and the helix. The first jewelry is usually a flat-back labret; a hoop is left until after healing. Details: conch piercing guide.
Rook
It is done vertically on the upper fold of the anti-helix, in the inner upper part of the ear. It is usually worn with a curved barbell and takes 6–12 months to heal. Details: rook piercing guide.
Daith
It is done on the inner fold just above the ear canal and is mostly worn with a hoop. There is no reliable scientific evidence that a daith helps with migraines; getting it with that expectation is not the right reason. Details: daith piercing guide.
Orbital
Orbital is not the name of a single area but of two holes joined by the same ring; it is mostly done in the lobe or helix area. Because both holes need to heal together, the ring is usually put in after healing. Details: orbital piercing guide.
How to remember ear piercing names easily?
Thinking of the ear as three levels makes the names easier to remember:
- Lower level (soft tissue): lobe and upper lobe.
- Outer frame (rim cartilage): helix, forward helix, auricle and industrial; just inside the helix, the flat and hidden helix.
- Inner part: tragus and anti-tragus on either side of the ear canal; daith above the canal and rook above that; conch in the central bowl and snug on the inner ridge.
In short, the outer rim is the “helix family”, the area around the ear canal is the “tragus family”, and the middle of the ear is the conch, rook and daith zone. We have similar guides for the nose and lips: nose piercing names and lip piercing types.
Which ear piercing is right for me?
Ask yourself these questions when deciding:
- Is this your first piercing? The lobe is the quickest option to heal.
- Are you ready for a long healing time? Cartilage piercings need regular aftercare for 6–12 months.
- Which side do you sleep on? During healing you should not sleep on the pierced side; sleeping with a piercing article has practical tips.
- Do you wear headphones, a helmet or glasses? The tragus, helix and conch can be affected by these.
- Is your ear anatomy suitable? For the snug, anti-tragus, rook and industrial, your anatomy is assessed at the studio.
- Planning an ear stack? Progressing step by step instead of getting everything on the same day makes healing easier; how many piercings you can get at once article.
Why do ear piercing healing times differ?
The lobe is soft tissue with good blood flow, so it heals in 6–8 weeks for most people. In cartilage areas such as the helix, forward helix, tragus, conch, rook and daith, it takes 6–12 months. A piercing that looks healed on the outside may still be healing inside, so change your jewelry without rushing and after asking your piercer. In the first weeks a longer piece is fitted to leave room for swelling, and it is shortened once the swelling goes down (downsizing). For a comparison of all areas, see piercing healing times table.
The basic rule of aftercare is simple: clean with sterile saline once or twice a day, and avoid turning the jewelry unnecessarily or touching it with dirty hands. If redness, warmth and discharge keep increasing, or if you have a fever, see a doctor without removing the jewelry yourself.
How to plan an ear stack?
An ear stack is a plan that combines different ear piercings with matching jewelry. A common starting point is rows of small stones in the lobe and upper lobe, a helix at the top and a tragus or conch on the inside. When building your stack, pay attention to matching jewelry tones (silver tone, gold, etc.), whether pieces will rub against each other, and the healing time of each hole. For ideas, see how to plan an ear stack and cartilage earring styles articles.
Ear piercing in Ümraniye, Istanbul: studio, directions and appointments
Cadde Piercing Studio is at İstiklal Mah. Mithatpaşa Cad. No:7B, Ümraniye Çarşı, Istanbul, within walking distance of the Çarşı stop on the M5 Üsküdar–Samandıra metro line. You can easily reach us by metro from Ataşehir, Üsküdar, Çekmeköy, Sancaktepe and Kadıköy. Piercings are done by our female piercers; we serve both women and men. For every client, a sterile, single-use needle is opened in front of them. We are open every day: Monday–Saturday 10:00–20:30, Sunday 11:00–20:00. Payment at the studio is cash only.
If you are not sure which piercing suits your ear, we can assess your ear together before the appointment. Online booking page or on WhatsApp (0533 250 01 77) to book your spot. For more about the studio, see Ümraniye piercing page.
Common mistakes
- Confusing the helix with the forward helix or the rook with the daith and asking for the wrong spot; confirm the placement by marking it in front of a mirror at your appointment.
- Treating a cartilage piercing like a lobe and expecting it to heal in a few weeks.
- Switching to a hoop before healing is complete or changing the jewelry often.
- Getting many cartilage piercings on the same day and then being unable to sleep comfortably on either side.
- Turning the jewelry, touching it with dirty hands or using alcohol-based products.
This article is for general information only and does not replace medical advice. For your personal situation, consult your piercer or doctor.
Official and reliable sources
Not sure? For a short free consultation at the studio book an appointment or see prices.
Got a question? Ask on WhatsApp or book an appointment in Ümraniye at our studio in Ümraniye Çarşı.
FAQ
What are the names of ear piercings?
The best-known ear piercing names are lobe, upper lobe, helix, forward helix, flat, hidden helix, industrial, auricle, snug, rook, daith, tragus, anti-tragus, conch and orbital. The names come from where the hole sits on the ear.
Which ear piercing heals the fastest?
The lobe, being soft tissue, usually heals in 6–8 weeks. Cartilage piercings such as the helix, tragus, conch, rook and daith mostly take 6–12 months.
What is the difference between a helix and a forward helix?
The helix is done on the upper outer rim of the ear, while the forward helix is done on the front end of the same fold, facing the face. Both are cartilage piercings and heal in 6–12 months; at our studio the helix is 450 TL and the forward helix is 550 TL.
What is the difference between a rook and a daith?
The daith is done on the fold just above the ear canal, while the rook is done vertically on the anti-helix fold higher up. The daith is usually worn with a hoop and the rook with a curved bar.
How much do ear piercings cost?
At our studio, a lobe piercing is 400 TL with a needle and 200 TL with a piercing gun, which is used only on the lobe. Helix and tragus are 450 TL; forward helix, hidden helix, conch, rook and flat are 550 TL; industrial is 650 TL; daith is 750 TL. Prices include surgical steel standard jewelry.
This content is for general information only and does not replace medical diagnosis or treatment.