· Marisol Vance
Ukulele Strap Buttons Explained
Strap buttons cause more confusion than anything else about ukulele straps, mostly because ukuleles are inconsistent — some have two buttons, some have one, many have none. Here's exactly what they are, whether you need one, and your options if your ukulele didn't come with one.
What a strap button actually is
A strap button is a small metal or plastic peg screwed into the wood, with a wider head. The keyhole slot in a leather strap end slides over the head and the narrow neck holds it in place. Guitars usually have two (one on the tail, one on the upper body); ukuleles most often have one, on the bottom edge at the tail.
How many does your ukulele have?
| Buttons | What to do |
|---|---|
| One (tail) | Hook the strap to it; loop the other end around the headstock behind the nut |
| Two | Hook both leather ends on — like a guitar |
| None | Use a soundhole hook or a tie-on strap (below) — no drilling needed |
Do you need to fit a button?
No — and many players never do. A permanent button is convenient if you play standing often, but drilling into a ukulele is irreversible and, on a cheap uke, not always worth it. The no-drill options below are secure enough for practice and most gigs.
No-drill alternatives
Soundhole hook. A small clip that grips the edge of the soundhole, giving you an anchor point without any modification. It costs a couple of dollars and comes off cleanly.
Headstock loop / tie strap. Both ends attach around the headstock and the tail without a button — nothing is drilled and nothing marks the finish.
Tie-on lace. Some straps (including ours) include a lace so the top end cinches around the neck behind the nut, needing only a single tail button or a soundhole hook at the bottom.
If you do fit a button
Have a guitar tech do it, or if you're confident: mark the centre of the tail block, drill a small pilot hole, and screw in a button with a felt washer. The tail block is solid wood, so it holds well. Don't fit a button to the thin body sides — only the reinforced tail or neck heel.
Whichever route you choose, the strap end matters: leather keyhole ends grip a button far more securely than a slit in nylon webbing. Our embroidered ukulele strap uses genuine leather ends for exactly that reason, and the how-to-attach guide walks through both methods with pictures.