How long should toenails be

A straight trim will help ensure your toenails grow forward as they should. Curved edges provide more opportunity for your nails to grow into your skin instead.

If you are concerned about the corners of your nails poking against you or catching on your socks, gently file them down instead of clipping them off.

A very slight amount of roundness is OK there. The white area at the tips of your nails should never be fully removed. On average, toenails grow at about mm per month. Clipping every weeks tends to be a good rate for most people.

Not all clippers are made equal — and the best tool for your toenails may not be the same as the one for your fingernails! Fingernail clippers are generally smaller, have less leverage and cutting power, and produce a more curved cut. By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Health Topics.

Health Tools. Foot Health. Reviewed: April 13, Your fingernails grow much faster than your toenails — your toenails only grow about one millimeter each month. You may think the mark of a great pedicure is one that lasts and lasts. But our foot specialist explains why your toenails actually need a breather! Learn more about vaccine availability.

Advertising Policy. You have successfully subscribed to our newsletter. Related Articles. Brittle Nails? The 10 Worst Ways to Lose 10 Pounds. Although toenails do not grow as quickly as fingernails, they still need to be trimmed routinely. You should cut your toenails at least once every eight weeks. Keeping them long is not only uncomfortable in socks and closed-toe shoes, but it also increases the risk of the toenail breaking or cracking, and thus increases the risk of infection.

You have very little control when doing this and more often than not, the nail is left too short, jagged, and removed too deep. The skin surrounding the nail should not be higher than the toenail as this may cause the nail to grow into the skin instead of on top of it. Rather, the nail should be cut to the edge of the skin and should not be cut deeper than that. Cutting the nails too short can also expose the nail bed underneath, making the area very tender.

Clean your tools regularly with rubbing alcohol or regularly replace them if they are disposable.