Strap vs. Lanyard — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 5, 2024
A strap is a flexible band used for carrying, securing, or wearing objects, while a lanyard is a cord or strap worn around the neck, shoulder, or wrist to carry items like keys or ID cards.
Difference Between Strap and Lanyard
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Straps are versatile, flexible bands made from various materials like leather, fabric, or plastic, designed for purposes such as securing cargo, holding up clothing, or attaching different objects together. Lanyards, on the other hand, are specific types of straps typically worn around the neck, shoulder, or wrist, often used to carry items that need to be easily accessible, such as ID badges, keys, or whistles. While all lanyards are straps by nature, not all straps function as lanyards, highlighting their specialized use versus the more general application of straps.
Straps are used in a wide range of applications, from the straps on a backpack that distribute weight across the shoulders, to the wrist strap of a camera that prevents it from falling. Lanyards, with their specific design, are often equipped with a clip or hook to securely hold items, and they may include features like breakaway connectors for safety. This functional distinction points to the intended use of lanyards for carrying small, lightweight items in a way that ensures they are always within reach.
The design of a strap can vary significantly depending on its intended use, including its length, width, material, and strength. Lanyards, while also variable in design, tend to prioritize comfort and ease of access, often made with soft materials and adjustable features to fit comfortably around the body part they are meant to be worn on.
While straps can be purely functional, lacking any decorative elements, lanyards often serve a dual purpose: functionality and fashion. Lanyards can be customized with various colors, patterns, and attachments, and are frequently used as promotional items or as part of an organization’s identity, displaying logos or slogans.
The selection between a strap and a lanyard depends on the specific needs of the user: the type of item to be secured or carried, the required level of accessibility, and whether the item is best worn or attached to another object. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right tool for the task at hand.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A flexible band used for carrying, securing, or wearing objects.
A specific type of strap worn around the neck, shoulder, or wrist to carry items.
Use
Broad, including securing cargo, holding up clothing, or as part of devices.
Specifically designed to carry easily accessible items like ID cards or keys.
Design Variability
Highly variable, depending on purpose (length, width, material).
Often includes a clip or hook for items, with comfort and accessibility in focus.
Functionality vs. Fashion
Primarily functional, can be devoid of decorative elements.
Serves both a functional and a decorative purpose, often customized or branded.
Typical Applications
Backpacks, camera straps, belts, watchbands.
Employee badges, keychains, event passes, promotional items.
Compare with Definitions
Strap
A flexible band for securing or carrying objects.
He tightened the strap around the luggage to secure it.
Lanyard
A cord or strap worn around the neck for carrying items.
Employees are required to wear their ID cards on a lanyard.
Strap
Part of clothing or accessories for support.
The dress featured thin spaghetti straps.
Lanyard
Often features a clip or hook for attaching items.
The lanyard had a detachable clip for keys.
Strap
Used for attachment or holding items together.
The guitar came with a leather strap for easy carrying.
Lanyard
Adjustable for comfort and length.
He adjusted the length of his lanyard so the badge sat at chest level.
Strap
Can be adjusted for length and fit.
She adjusted the straps on her backpack for a better fit.
Lanyard
Can be a promotional item with branding.
The company distributed lanyards with their logo at the event.
Strap
Materials vary widely, including leather, fabric, and synthetic.
The watch strap was made of durable nylon fabric.
Lanyard
Materials chosen for comfort and durability.
The soft, woven fabric of the lanyard was comfortable to wear all day.
Strap
A strap, sometimes also called strop, is an elongated flap or ribbon, usually of leather or other flexible materials. Thin straps are used as part of clothing or baggage, or bedding such as a sleeping bag.
Lanyard
A lanyard is a cord, length of webbing, or strap that may serve any of various functions, which include a means of attachment, restraint, retrieval, and activation and deactivation. An example of attachment is a light duty tether worn around the neck, shoulder, wrist or attached to the belt as a sling to conveniently carry items such as keys or identification cards, or as a safety harness to prevent accidental dropping of valuable handheld items such as a camera.
Strap
A long narrow strip of pliant material such as leather.
Lanyard
(Nautical) A short rope or gasket used for fastening something or securing rigging.
Strap
Such a strip equipped with a buckle or similar fastener for binding or securing objects.
Lanyard
A cord worn around the neck for carrying something, such as a knife or whistle.
Strap
A thin flat metal or plastic band used for fastening or clamping objects together or into position.
Lanyard
A cord with a hook at one end used to fire a cannon.
Strap
A narrow band formed into a loop for grasping with the hand.
Lanyard
(nautical) A short rope used for fastening rigging, as a handle, etc.
Strap
A razor strop.
Lanyard
(by extension) A cord worn around the neck, shoulder, or wrist which is attached to a small object to be carried such as an identity card or security pass, key, knife, or whistle.
Strap
A strip of leather used in flogging.
Lanyard
A craft activity done by intricately braiding thin colored plastic lines to make patterns, or the product of such a craft.
Strap
To fasten or secure with a strap.
Lanyard
A cord with a hook which is secured to an artillery piece, and pulled to fire the weapon.
Strap
To beat with a strap.
Lanyard
A short piece of rope or line for fastening something in ships; as, the lanyards of the gun ports, of the buoy, and the like; esp., pieces passing through the dead-eyes, and used to extend shrouds, stays, etc.
Strap
To sharpen (a razor, for example).
Lanyard
A strong cord, about twelve feet long, with an iron hook at one end a handle at the other, used in firing cannon with a friction tube.
Strap
A long, narrow, pliable strip of leather, cloth, or the like.
Lanyard
A cord with an attached hook that is used to fire certain types of cannon
Strap
A strap worn on the shoulder.
Lanyard
A cord worn around the neck to hold a knife or whistle
Strap
A strip of thick leather used in flogging.
Lanyard
(nautical) a line used for extending or fastening rigging on ships
Strap
Something made of such a strip, or of a part of one, or a combination of two or more for a particular use.
Strap
A piece of leather, or strip of wood covered with a suitable material, used to hone the sharpened edge of a razor; a strop.
Strap
A narrow strip of anything, as of iron or brass.
Strap
A band, plate, or loop of metal for clasping and holding timbers or parts of a machine.
Strap
(nautical) A piece of rope or metal passing around a block and used for fastening it to anything.
Strap
(botany) The flat part of the corolla in ligulate florets, as those of the white circle in the daisy.
Strap
(botany) The leaf, exclusive of its sheath, in some grasses.
Strap
(slang) A gun, normally a personal firearm such as a pistol or machine pistol.
Strap
Credit offered to a customer, especially for alcoholic drink.
Strap
(journalism) strapline
Strap
A championship belt, or by extension, the title.
Strap
(finance) An investment strategy involving simultaneous trade with one put and two call options on the same security at the same strike price, similar to but more bullish than a straddle.
Strap
(transitive) To beat or chastise with a strap; to whip, to lash.
Strap
(transitive) To fasten or bind with a strap.
Strap
(transitive) To sharpen by rubbing on a strap; to strop.
To strap a razor
Strap
A long, narrow, pliable strip of leather, cloth, or the like; specifically, a strip of thick leather used in flogging.
A lively cobbler that . . . had scarce passed a day without giving her [his wife] the discipline of the strap.
Strap
Something made of such a strip, or of a part of one, or a combination of two or more for a particular use; as, a boot strap, shawl strap, stirrup strap.
Strap
A piece of leather, or strip of wood covered with a suitable material, for sharpening a razor; a strop.
Strap
A narrow strip of anything, as of iron or brass.
Strap
A band, plate, or loop of metal for clasping and holding timbers or parts of a machine.
Strap
The flat part of the corolla in ligulate florets, as those of the white circle in the daisy.
Strap
A piece of rope or metal passing around a block and used for fastening it to anything.
Strap
A shoulder strap. See under Shoulder.
Strap
To beat or chastise with a strap.
Strap
To fasten or bind with a strap.
Strap
To sharpen by rubbing on a strap, or strop; as, to strap a razor.
Strap
An elongated leather strip (or or strip of similar material) for binding things together or holding something in position
Strap
Hanger consisting of a loop of leather suspended from the ceiling of a bus or train; passengers hold onto it
Strap
A band that goes over the shoulder and supports a garment or bag
Strap
Whip consisting of a strip of leather used in flogging
Strap
Tie with a strap
Strap
Beat severely with a whip or rod;
The teacher often flogged the students
The children were severely trounced
Strap
Sharpen with a strap;
Strap a razor
Strap
Secure (a sprained joint) with a strap
Common Curiosities
Are all lanyards adjustable?
Many lanyards are adjustable for comfort and practicality, but not all designs include this feature.
What makes a lanyard different from a strap?
A lanyard is a specific type of strap designed to be worn around the neck, shoulder, or wrist, primarily for carrying items like ID cards or keys, and often features a clip or hook.
Why are lanyards popular as promotional items?
Lanyards are popular for branding and promotions because they are practical, visible, and can be customized with colors, logos, and messages.
What is a strap used for?
A strap is used for a variety of purposes, including securing items, carrying objects, or providing support as part of clothing or accessories.
How do you choose between a strap and a lanyard?
The choice depends on the specific need: whether the item needs to be secured, carried, or worn, and the level of accessibility required.
Can straps be decorative?
While straps are often functional, they can also include decorative elements, especially when used in fashion accessories.
How should a strap be maintained?
Maintenance depends on the material, but generally includes keeping it clean, dry, and checking regularly for wear and tear.
What are the safety features of lanyards?
Safety features can include breakaway connectors that release under pressure to prevent choking or snagging hazards.
Can straps and lanyards be eco-friendly?
Yes, both can be made from sustainable or recycled materials, contributing to environmental conservation efforts.
Can lanyards be a security risk?
Lanyards can pose a security risk if they carry sensitive items like keys or access cards and are lost or stolen; hence, safety features like breakaway connectors are important.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
