What Are Flatback Earrings? Flatback vs Butterfly Back
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What Are Flatback Earrings?
A flatback earring is an earring with a straight post and a small flat disc at the back that sits flush against your ear, instead of a butterfly clutch pushed onto the post. The decorative top sits on the front. Flatbacks are the standard for cartilage piercings because the flat disc is comfortable to sleep on and the post can be sized to suit your piercing.
That's the short answer. The part most explanations skip is that "flatback" only describes the back of the earring. It doesn't tell you the gauge (thickness), the post length or the metal, and those three things decide whether an earring actually suits your piercing. Two flatbacks can fit very differently.
Flatback vs butterfly back at a glance
| Butterfly back | Flatback | |
|---|---|---|
| Back of the earring | A clutch pushed onto the post, which can be pressed tight against the ear | A flat disc at the back, sitting flush against the ear |
| Post length | Set by the earring; the clutch just slides along it | Chosen in mm (for most placements, 8–10mm when fresh and 6–8mm once healed) |
| Gauge (post thickness) | Usually not stated | Stated, so you can match it to your piercing (Cura's standard is 16G) |
| Sleeping and daily wear | The clutch can press into the ear | Low profile, with less to catch on hair, hats and pillows |
| Cleaning | Debris collects in the small gaps around the clutch | Smooth back that's easier to wipe clean |
| Most common use | Ear lobes and gun piercings | Cartilage and healing piercings, and lobes too |
The three differences that actually matter
1. Gauge: the one most people have never checked
Gauge is the thickness of the post, and the lower the number, the thicker the post. 20G is about 0.8mm, 18G is about 1.0mm and 16G is about 1.2mm.
Most people have no idea what gauge their earrings are. They get pierced, assume any earring from any shop will fit, and default to butterfly backs because they think that's the only kind of earring there is. In our experience, cartilage earrings from cheaper stores are often only available in 18G, and most butterfly-back earrings aren't made from implant-grade titanium.
The gauge matters because a post that doesn't match your piercing moves around inside it. That movement is what we hear about most from customers: irritation, itchiness and redness after switching to a cheaper cartilage earring. A post that fits the piercing stays put, and the piercing gets to heal instead of being constantly nudged.
2. Comfort: what the flat disc actually changes
- Sleeping and daily wear. A butterfly clutch sits on the back of your ear and can press or catch. A flat disc sits flush, so hair, phone screens, towels and pillows have almost nothing to snag on.
- Room to swell. Cartilage swells while it's healing. A longer post (8–10mm for most placements) gives the tissue space, and you can move to a shorter post (6–8mm) once it has settled. A short post with a clutch pushed tight leaves swollen cartilage nowhere to go.
- Cleaning. A smooth back is easier to wipe down than a clutch, where debris collects in the small gaps.
3. Sizing: matching the earring to the piercing
Flatbacks are made for cartilage in specific gauges and lengths, so you can match the earring to the piercing rather than hoping it fits. Cura's cartilage and lobe range is 16G. We also make 18G posts in 5, 6, 7 and 8mm that fit our threadless range, for piercings that were done with an 18G needle. If you're not sure what gauge your piercing is, your piercer can tell you.
Not every flatback is the same
Buying "a flatback" is like buying "a pair of shoes." Four things vary:
- Gauge. 16G, 18G and 20G flatbacks all exist, and they are not interchangeable.
- Post length. Too short and a swollen piercing gets squeezed, too long and the earring moves around.
- How the top attaches. In a threaded flatback the top screws onto the post. In a threadless flatback the post has no thread, and the top has a small pin that slots into the post and is held by tension. Ours is a threadless range.
- Material. "Flatback" says nothing about the metal. Cura's flatbacks are implant-grade titanium (ASTM F136, Grade 23). If your ears react to jewellery, read our guide to the [best metals for sensitive ear piercings](PLACEHOLDER URL).
Gun-pierced ears and flatbacks
This is the question we get most from customers: "I've had butterfly backs in my ears for years. Can I just swap in a flatback?"
Not straight away. In our experience, gun piercings are normally 20G, and our standard flatbacks are 16G, which is a noticeably thicker post. It simply won't fit through a hole that thin, and you shouldn't force it.
If your ear was pierced with a gun and you want to wear flatbacks, the right move is to see a professional piercer about being re-pierced with a needle at the gauge that suits the jewellery you want to wear. We're a jewellery brand, not a piercing studio, so a piercer is the person to look at your ear and tell you what suits it. If you're weighing up the two methods, read our needle vs gun piercing post.
If your piercing was done with an 18G needle, our 18G threadless posts (5, 6, 7 and 8mm) are made for exactly that. If you're not sure, check the gauge with your piercer before you buy.
Are flatbacks right for every piercing?
No, and this is worth knowing before you buy. Flatbacks are the standard for cartilage placements like the helix and conch, and they work in lobes too. But some piercings suit something else: a daith usually wears a ring, hinged segment ring or clicker, and a belly piercing wears a curved barbell rather than a flatback.
For how flatbacks fit into healing in particular, see our guides on wearing normal earrings in a helix piercing and the best earrings for newly pierced ears.
How to choose your first flatback
- Find out your piercing's gauge. Ask your piercer if you don't know.
- Pick the right length. For most placements that's 8–10mm while it's fresh and 6–8mm once healed.
- Check the metal. Look for implant-grade titanium (ASTM F136 or Grade 23), not just the word "hypoallergenic."
- Keep the top simple while healing. A plain stud with minimal curves is easier to keep clean than something heavily decorated.
- Never force a post through. If it doesn't slide in comfortably, it's the wrong gauge.
Ready to start? Our Sara and Sofia flatback studs are a good place to begin, and the full flatback range is on with nationwide delivery across South Africa.
This article reflects Cura's experience with piercing jewellery and customers. It is not medical advice. A professional piercer can assess your piercing and advise on gauge and sizing.
FAQ
What are flatback earrings? A flatback earring has a straight post and a flat disc at the back that sits flush against the ear, instead of a butterfly clutch. They are the standard for cartilage piercings because they are more comfortable to sleep on and the post can be matched to your piercing's gauge and length.
What is the difference between flatback and butterfly back earrings? A butterfly back uses a clutch pushed onto the post, and it usually doesn't state a gauge. A flatback uses a flat disc at the back, sits flush against the ear and comes in specific gauges and lengths, so it can be matched to your piercing.
Can I wear flatback earrings in a gun-pierced ear? Not straight away. In our experience gun piercings are normally 20G, while standard flatbacks are 16G, which is thicker and won't fit through the hole. If you want to wear flatbacks, see a professional piercer about re-piercing with a needle.
What size flatback do I need for cartilage? For most cartilage placements, 16G is the standard gauge. Length is usually 8–10mm while the piercing is fresh and swollen, and 6–8mm once it has healed. Your piercer can confirm the right size for your ear.
Are flatback earrings more comfortable to sleep in? Most people find them more comfortable, because the flat disc sits flush against the ear and has less to catch on pillows, hair and clothing than a butterfly clutch.
Are flatbacks only for cartilage piercings? No. They work in cartilage and in lobes. Some piercings suit other styles: a daith usually wears a ring, hinged segment ring or clicker, and a belly piercing wears a curved barbell.
What is the difference between threaded and threadless flatbacks? In a threaded flatback the decorative top screws onto the post. In a threadless flatback the post has no thread, and the top has a small pin that slots into the post and is held by tension.