Scissors vs. Shears — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 7, 2024
Scissors are small, handheld cutting tools used for everyday tasks like paper cutting, whereas shears are larger and more heavy-duty, ideal for cutting through tougher materials such as fabric or hedges.
Difference Between Scissors and Shears
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Scissors are typically designed with symmetrical handles, providing a comfortable grip for smaller-scale cutting tasks like trimming paper or hair. Shears, on the other hand, feature asymmetrical handles to offer greater leverage for heavier cutting.
Scissors are generally less than 6 inches long and have blades with a shorter cutting length for precision tasks. Conversely, shears are longer than 6 inches and their blades can handle thicker materials like fabric or shrubbery.
Scissors are commonly used for everyday household tasks such as arts and crafts or grooming. Shears, however, are used in specialized fields such as tailoring or gardening, offering greater cutting power.
Scissors are usually more versatile for cutting light materials. Meanwhile, shears come in specialized forms like pinking shears for fabric or pruning shears for plants, making them more task-specific.
While scissors generally feature uniform, pointed blades for clean cuts, shears often have serrated or angled blades, designed for tougher or fibrous materials to prevent slipping and ensure a precise cut.
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Comparison Chart
Handle Design
Symmetrical handles
Asymmetrical handles
Blade Length
Less than 6 inches
More than 6 inches
Common Use
Everyday cutting tasks
Specialized cutting like gardening
Blade Shape
Uniform, pointed blades
Serrated or angled blades
Cutting Capacity
Light materials like paper
Heavier materials like fabric or branches
Compare with Definitions
Scissors
Blades usually range from 3 to 6 inches in length.
The small scissors fit comfortably in my pencil case.
Shears
Offer greater leverage for thicker materials.
The large handles on gardening shears provide better grip.
Scissors
Feature sharp, pointed blades.
Craft scissors are designed for detailed cutting.
Shears
Blades typically exceed 6 inches in length.
The long blades of the dressmaker's shears ensure a smooth cut.
Scissors
Often have ergonomically designed handles.
Scissors with padded grips reduce hand strain.
Shears
Larger, heavy-duty cutting tool with asymmetrical handles.
Shears make trimming the hedge a breeze.
Scissors
Small-sized and suitable for everyday use.
Kitchen scissors are handy for cutting open packets.
Shears
Serrated blades or angled edges prevent slippage.
Pruning shears are angled for cutting branches easily.
Scissors
Hand-operated cutting tool with two blades that pivot.
Use scissors to trim the paper edges.
Shears
Often specialized for tasks like fabric cutting or gardening.
The tailor used pinking shears to cut fabric.
Scissors
Scissors are hand-operated shearing tools. A pair of scissors consists of a pair of metal blades pivoted so that the sharpened edges slide against each other when the handles (bows) opposite to the pivot are closed.
Shears
To remove (fleece or hair) by cutting or clipping.
Scissors
To cut or clip with scissors or shears.
Shears
To remove the hair or fleece from.
Scissors
Scissors (used with a sing. or pl. verb) A cutting implement consisting of two blades joined by a swivel pin that allows the cutting edges to be opened and closed.
Shears
To cut with or as if with shears
Shearing a hedge.
Scissors
Any of various gymnastic exercises or jumps in which the movement of the legs suggests the opening and closing of scissors.
Shears
To divest or deprive as if by cutting
The prisoners were shorn of their dignity.
Scissors
A scissors hold.
Shears
To use a cutting tool such as shears.
Scissors
A tool used for cutting thin material, consisting of two crossing blades attached at a pivot point in such a way that the blades slide across each other when the handles are closed.
Scissors are used to cut the flowers.
Use scissors to cut them if you don't have proper shears.
Shears
To move or proceed by or as if by cutting
Shear through the wheat.
Scissors
A type of defensive maneuver in dogfighting, involving repeatedly turning one's aircraft towards that of the attacker in order to force them to overshoot.
Shears
(Physics) To become deformed by shear force.
Scissors
An instance of the above dogfighting maneuver.
Shears
A pair of scissors.
Scissors
An attacking move conducted by two players; the player without the ball runs from one side of the ball carrier, behind the ball carrier, and receives a pass from the ball carrier on the other side.
They executed a perfect scissors.
Shears
Any of various implements or machines that cut with a scissorlike action.
Scissors
A method of skating with one foot significantly in front of the other.
Shears
The act, process, or result of shearing, especially when used to indicate a sheep's age
A two-shear ram.
Scissors
An exercise in which the legs are switched back and forth, suggesting the motion of scissors.
Shears
Something cut off by shearing.
Scissors
A scissors hold.
Shears
Also sheers (shîrz) (used with a sing. or pl. verb) An apparatus used to lift heavy weights, consisting of two or more spars joined at the top and spread at the base, the tackle being suspended from the top.
Scissors
(rock paper scissors) A hand with the index and middle fingers open (a handshape resembling scissors), that beats paper and loses to rock. It beats lizard and loses to Spock in rock-paper-scissors-lizard-Spock.
Shears
See shear force.
Scissors
(rare) scissor
Shears
See shear strain.
Scissors
(transitive) scissor
Shears
See shear stress.
Scissors
(dated) Cry of anguish or frustration.
Shears
Plural of shear
Scissors
A cutting instrument resembling shears, but smaller, consisting of two cutting blades with handles, movable on a pin in the center, by which they are held together. Often called a pair of scissors.
Shears
A tool consisting of two blades with bevel edges, connected by a pivot, used for cutting cloth, or for removing the fleece from sheep etc.
Scissors
And edge tool having two crossed pivoting blades
Shears
(engineering) The bedpiece of a machine tool, upon which a table or slide rest is secured.
The shears of a lathe or planer
Scissors
A wrestling hold in which you wrap your legs around the opponents body or head and put your feet together and squeeze
Shears
An apparatus for raising heavy weights, and especially for stepping and unstepping the lower masts of ships. It consists of two or more spars or pieces of timber, fastened together near the top, steadied by a guy or guys, and furnished with the necessary tackle. Also sheers.
Scissors
A gymnastic exercise performed on the pommel horse when the gymnast moves his legs as scissors move
Shears
Anything resembling a pair of shears in shape or motion, such as a pair of wings.
Shears
A cutting instrument.
Fate urged the shears, and cut the sylph in twain.
Shears
A similar instrument the blades of which are extensions of a curved spring, - used for shearing sheep or skins.
Shears
Anything in the form of shears.
Shears
The bedpiece of a machine tool, upon which a table or slide rest is secured; as, the shears of a lathe or planer. See Illust. under Lathe.
Shears
(usually plural) large scissors with strong blades
Common Curiosities
Can I use shears instead of scissors for everyday tasks?
Shears are generally too large for precision work like paper cutting, making them less convenient than scissors.
Are there different types of shears?
Yes, shears come in various forms like pinking shears, gardening shears, and fabric shears, each serving a specific purpose.
Why do shears have asymmetrical handles?
Asymmetrical handles provide better leverage, allowing shears to cut through tougher materials.
What is the primary difference between scissors and shears?
Scissors are smaller with symmetrical handles, while shears are larger and designed for heavy-duty tasks.
Can shears be used to cut hair?
Hair shears exist specifically for hair cutting, providing precision and control that standard shears lack.
Are there specialized types of scissors like there are for shears?
Yes, scissors also come in specialized forms, such as embroidery scissors for sewing or grooming scissors for pet care.
Can I use shears if I'm left-handed?
Left-handed shears are available to provide better comfort and efficiency for left-handed users.
What materials are typically cut using shears?
Shears are ideal for tougher materials like fabric, leather, or plant stems.
Do scissors or shears require maintenance?
Both require regular sharpening and cleaning to maintain optimal cutting performance.
Are shears heavier than scissors?
Generally, yes, due to their larger size and sturdier materials, shears are heavier than scissors.
Are children's scissors different from regular scissors?
Yes, children's scissors have rounded tips and are generally smaller for safe use.
Can shears be used in crafting?
Yes, pinking shears are a popular choice in crafting due to their zigzag edge that prevents fabric fraying.
Why do some scissors have a spring mechanism?
Spring-loaded scissors reduce hand strain by automatically opening the blades after each cut.
How do I choose between different types of shears?
Choose based on your specific needs, like fabric shears for sewing or hedge shears for gardening.
What distinguishes pruning shears from other shears?
Pruning shears are specially designed for cutting plant stems and branches with minimal effort.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
