Flat Back Earrings: A Simple Guide to Threadless, Threaded and Sleeping In Them
Flat back earrings look like regular studs from the front. The difference is on the back. Instead of a butterfly clutch with a pointy post sticking out, there's a smooth flat disc that sits against the back of your ear. That one change makes them a lot more comfortable to sleep in, and easier to stack up your ear.
They do come with a little learning curve, mostly because there are two different ways the front and back connect. Once you get that part, they're easy.
What Are Flat Back Earrings?
A flat back earring has two pieces. There's the decorative top, the part people see, and there's the post, which is a short straight bar with a flat disc on one end. The post goes through your piercing from the back, and the top attaches to it from the front.
Because the disc sits flush against your skin, there's nothing to poke you when you lie on your side. That's the main reason so many people switch.
Trio Star Titanium Flat Back Stud in gold
Threadless vs Threaded Flat Backs
This is the part that confuses people. The top and post can connect in one of two ways, and the two styles don't mix.
Threadless (push pin)
With a threadless, or push pin, flat back, the top has a thin pin on it. You push that pin into the hollow post, and the pin's slight bend creates tension that holds it in place. There's no twisting. Many of our titanium flat back studs are push pin, and each product page lists the earring style so you can check.
To put one in, slide the post through your piercing from the back first. Then hold the flat disc steady with one finger and push the top's pin straight in until it feels snug. If a top starts feeling loose over time, a tiny extra bend in the pin adds more tension. Go gently though. You only need a very slight angle.
Threaded (internally threaded)
With an internally threaded flat back, the top has a small screw, and the threads are inside the post. You twist the top into the post until it's secure. Some of our styles, like the Kite Dangle Gem Titanium Flat Back Stud, are internally threaded.
Threaded tops are very secure once they're tightened, but they can work loose over time if you never check them. Give them a little twist every so often.
Kite Dangle Gem Titanium Flat Back Stud in silver
Why they don't mix
A push pin top won't screw into a threaded post, and a threaded top won't hold in a push pin post. Our product pages say this right on them: internally threaded earrings are not compatible with push pin (threadless) flat backs. If you're buying replacement backs, like our Star Titanium Flat Back Backings, check that they match. Those are made for push pin flat backs, not screw in ones.
Gauge and Post Length
Two numbers show up on every flat back listing, and they're worth a quick look before you order.
Gauge
Gauge is how thick the post is. Our titanium flat backs come in 18 gauge (1mm) as standard, with 16 gauge (1.2mm) available on request for many styles. Smaller numbers mean a thicker post. If you're not sure what your piercing is, the jewelry your piercer put in is a good clue, and they can tell you.
Post length
Post length is how long the bar is from the disc to the front. A lobe usually needs less length than a cartilage piercing, and a post that's too short can press into your ear. The Titanium CZ Flat Back Stud comes with both 6mm and 8mm posts, which takes some of the guessing out of it.
Titanium CZ Flat Back Stud
Can You Sleep in Flat Back Earrings?
This is the big one. A lot of people pick flat backs specifically because they want earrings they can sleep in. With no sharp end poking into your neck or pillow, they're a lot more comfortable than a regular butterfly back.
A few things help. Smaller, lower profile tops are easier to sleep in than big dangly ones, so something like the Micro Twinkle Titanium Flat Back Stud is a good overnight pick. (Fair warning, those are really, really small, so check the dimensions first.) Make sure push pin tops are snug so nothing slips out in the night, and check threaded tops are tightened.
Micro Twinkle Titanium Flat Back Stud in silver
If your piercing is new, follow your piercer's advice on when to change jewelry and how to sleep on it. Healing piercings have their own rules.
Why Titanium Flat Back Earrings?
Flat backs sit inside your piercing for long stretches, often day and night, so the material matters. Ours are made from implant-grade ASTM F-136 titanium, which is the same grade used in surgical implants. Nickel isn't one of its alloying elements. Titanium is known for corrosion resistance, so you can shower and swim in them without taking them out. Rinse off chlorine and salt water afterwards.
The gold ones are 18K or 24K PVD gold plated over the titanium, depending on the style. Silver tone titanium has a slightly darker hue than stainless steel or sterling silver, which is just how the metal looks.
You can browse every style in our flat back studs collection. They're sold as singles, which makes it easy to build a mismatched ear. Most are between $9 and $15.
One thing to know before you shop: for sanitary reasons, all flat back earrings and all titanium jewelry are final sale. Double check the earring style, gauge and post length on the product page before you check out.
FAQ
What's the difference between threadless and threaded flat back earrings?
Threadless (push pin) tops have a pin that pushes into the post and stays in by tension. Threaded tops screw into the post. The two styles aren't compatible with each other.
Can you sleep in flat back earrings?
Many people find flat backs comfortable to sleep in because the smooth disc sits flush against the back of the ear. Smaller, low profile tops tend to be the most comfortable overnight.
What gauge are Flaire flat back earrings?
Our titanium flat back studs are 18 gauge (1mm) as standard. A 16 gauge (1.2mm) post is available on request for many styles.
Are titanium flat back earrings waterproof?
Yes, they're made for it. Titanium is known for corrosion resistance, so you can wear them in the shower and the pool. Rinse off chlorine and salt water afterwards.
