D Rings, Snap Hooks or Carabiners? How to Choose Bag Rings and Hooks
D ring, swivel snap hook, carabiner or O ring? Compare bag rings and hooks by job, opening, sizes and finishes, and learn how to size them to your strap.
Short answer: use a D ring or rectangle ring sewn into the bag as the fixed anchor point, and a swivel snap hook on the end of the strap so it clips on and turns without twisting. Choose a carabiner for keys, bottles and merchandise rather than for the main bag strap, and a spring O ring when charms or keys need to be added without tools. Size every ring to the inner width of your strap.
Rings and hooks connect the strap to the bag, so they decide how a bag hangs, moves and opens. This guide compares the rings and hooks we make, with real sizes from our catalogue, so you can match each part to its job before sampling.
Quick picks
Fixed anchor on the bag: D ring or rectangle ring.
Detachable strap end: swivel snap hook.
Add a ring to a finished strap: screw-bar D ring or rectangle ring.
Keys, bottles and promotional items: carabiner clip.
Charms and keyrings: spring O ring.
What is each ring and hook used for?
- D ring: a ring with one straight side that sits flat against the bag. The usual anchor point for a strap.
- Rectangle and oval rings: a wider, flat anchor that keeps webbing and flat straps from bunching.
- Swivel snap hook: a spring-gate hook whose strap eye turns 360°, so the strap does not twist. Used at the ends of detachable straps.
- Fixed snap hook: the same spring gate with an eye that does not swivel; simpler and slimmer.
- Carabiner clip: a large spring-gate clip, quick to open with one hand; for keys, bottles and merchandise.
- Spring O ring: a round ring whose gate presses inward to open, so things can be added without tools.
Bag rings and hooks compared
Part | Opens? | Job | Sizes in our range | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
D ring | No (or screw bar) | Fixed anchor on the bag | 5 sizes in brass; 13, 16, 20mm screw D rings | |
Rectangle / oval ring | No (or screw bar) | Flat anchor for webbing | Oval for 20–50mm straps; rectangle for 13–25mm | |
Swivel snap hook | Spring gate | Detachable strap end | 36mm hook, 12mm strap eye | |
Fixed snap hook | Spring gate | Strap end, keys, collars | 5 sizes in solid brass | |
Carabiner clip | Spring gate | Keys, bottles, merchandise | 38 x 21mm to 76 x 40mm | |
Spring O ring | Press-in gate | Charms and keyrings | 7 sizes |
Our MOQ is 100 pieces per design for every ring and hook in this guide.
How do I choose the right ring size?
Rings are sized by their inner width: the inside of the straight bar must be at least as wide as your strap or webbing. A 20mm strap needs a ring with a 20mm inner width. If the strap is thick leather or folded webbing, allow a little extra room, and check the fit on a sample.
- Screw D rings: inner widths of 13, 16 and 20mm.
- Rectangle rings: for 13, 16 and 25mm straps (6.1–13.8g).
- Oval rings: for 20, 25, 32, 38 and 50mm straps.
When should you use a D ring or a rectangle ring?
D rings
A D ring is sewn or riveted into a tab on the bag and gives the strap a fixed point to clip onto. Our solid brass D rings come in five sizes with smooth, rounded edges, in polished brass or in silver, gun black and rose gold, with a laser logo on the straight bar on request.
If the strap or tab is already finished, a screw D ring has a threaded bar that unscrews, so it can be fitted without sewing. It comes in 13, 16 and 20mm in gold, silver, gunmetal and antique brass.
Screw D rings in four finishes. See the removable screw D rings.
Rectangle and oval rings
Flat rings keep wide webbing and flat leather straps lying smooth. Our welded oval rings are closed with no gap, for 20–50mm straps in silver, light gold, gold, gunmetal and black nickel. Rectangle rings with a screw bar can be added to a finished strap.
Closed oval rings in four finishes. See the oval rings.
Rectangle rings with a removable screw bar. See the screw-bar rectangle rings.
Swivel or fixed snap hook?
Choose a swivel snap hook for shoulder and crossbody straps: the eye turns, so the strap hangs flat however the bag moves. Our light gold swivel snap hooks are 36mm long with a 12mm oval strap eye and weigh 6g, which suits handbags, pouches and bag charms.
Swivel snap hooks in light gold. See the swivel snap hooks.
A fixed snap hook is slimmer and simpler and works well for keys, short handles and pet collars. Our solid brass fixed snap hooks come in five sizes, in polished brass or silver, gun black and rose gold, with a laser logo on request.
When is a carabiner or O ring the better choice?
Carabiner clips open quickly with one hand, which makes them popular for keys, bottles and branded merchandise. Our aluminium D carabiners come in five sizes from 38 x 21mm to 76 x 40mm (2.4–14g), anodised in bright colours and black. They are accessories, not climbing equipment.
Anodised aluminium carabiner clips. See the carabiner clips.
Spring O rings press open, so charms, keys and small straps can be added without tools. Our spring O rings come in seven sizes in silver, light gold and gunmetal.
Spring O rings in three finishes. See the spring O rings.
Zinc alloy, brass or aluminium?
- Zinc alloy: our main material for rings and hooks; die-cast, so it takes detailed shapes and many plating colours.
- Solid brass: heavier and more solid, with the colour right through; chosen for premium leather goods.
- Aluminium: very light and anodised in bright colours; used for carabiner clips.
For load-bearing parts on heavy bags, tell us the bag weight and use and we will advise on material and thickness. For a full comparison read zinc alloy vs brass vs stainless steel.
How do I order custom rings and hooks?
- Measure the inner width your strap needs, and list where each ring or hook goes.
- Choose the part for each job: anchor ring, strap-end hook, carabiner or O ring.
- Choose the material and finish, and match it to the rest of the bag hardware.
- Send your logo if you want it engraved or cast, and approve a physical sample.
- Samples: about 7–10 days
- New mould (custom shape or cast logo): usually USD 70–150 in zinc alloy, about 10–20 days
- Bulk production: about 7–30 days depending on quantity and finish
- MOQ: 100 pieces per design
To match finishes across the bag, see how to choose plating colours, and for straps themselves read how to choose bag handles and straps.
Frequently asked questions
What size D ring do I need for my strap?
Match the inner width of the ring to the strap width: a 20mm strap needs a 20mm inner width. Allow a little more for thick leather.
What is the difference between a swivel and a fixed snap hook?
A swivel snap hook has an eye that turns 360°, so the strap does not twist. A fixed snap hook does not turn and is slimmer.
Can I add a D ring to a strap that is already sewn?
Yes. Screw D rings and screw-bar rectangle rings have a bar that unscrews, so they can be fitted without sewing.
Are your carabiners suitable for climbing?
No. Our aluminium carabiner clips are for keys, bags, bottles and merchandise, not for climbing or safety use.
Can you put our logo on rings and hooks?
Yes. Brass D rings and snap hooks can be laser engraved; a cast logo or custom shape needs a mould, usually USD 70–150 in zinc alloy.
What is the MOQ for custom D rings and snap hooks?
100 pieces per design. Samples take about 7–10 days.
Need rings and hooks for your next bag?
Send us your strap width, bag type and quantity, and we will suggest the right rings and hooks and send samples. Request a quote or browse all rings, hooks and clasps.
Products mentioned
- Custom Metal D Rings & Strap Rings for Bags and Leather Goods
- Custom Swivel Snap Hooks for Bags, Straps & Leather Goods
- Metal Openable Swivel Round Carabiner Spring Gate Clasps With Small Circle Bag
- 20mm-40mm High Quality Alloy Metal Tail Clamp Bag & Ribbon Accessories Clip Handbag Keychain Split Ring Eco-friendly Key Ring