All About YKK Coil Zippers and Pulls

In this post, we will explain how you can use YKK coil zippers and pulls in lots of applications -- from applying new pulls to finishing zippers.  Coil zippers are great to use when you need a bit of flexibility in the zipper, like for going around a curve.  They are strong zippers and used in a lot of outdoor gear and clothing. Read all about molded tooth zippers in this blog post, in case you want to compare the two types.  

You can see our coil zipper collections here: 

• Non-separating coil zippers.  These are pocket (both ends of zipper do not separate) and neckline zippers (one end separates for applying at a neckline). These are short zippers and only 7" long.
• One-way separating coil zippers.  These zippers come in a variety of lengths and only separate at one end - so great for leg zips on pants or for sleeping bags (the long one).  Good for bags too.
• Two-way separating coil zippers.  These zippers are very long and have one locking and one non-locking zipper pull on them so they can be zipped up or down from both ends.  They are great for sleeping bags.
• Coil zipper by the yard.  You can buy this zipper by the yard for projects that need a zipper than separates at both ends or zippers to put in bags, coats, or pockets.  This zipper can be used in lots of applications.  You have to cut it to the length you need for your project and you must add the zipper pulls to the zipper (more on this below).
• Coil zipper pulls.  These zipper pulls are used on coil zippers -- either zipper by the yard or when replacing a zipper pull on a garment or bag.

Types of Coil Zipper Pulls

The Green Pepper has three types of coil zipper pulls:  Locking, Single Pull, and Double Pull.  Locking pulls do what their name suggests and "lock" in place and won't move, even when the zipper is being moved around.  They have a bar that sets between the zipper teeth to keep the pull in place until the zipper tab is pulled.  Single pulls do not have a locking mechanism and can be pulled up or down from one side of the zipper tape.  Double pulls have zipper tabs on both sides of the zipper tape and can be pulled up and down from either side.  

Zipper Size

The size for coil zipper pulls can be found on the nose (center bar) of non-locking coil pulls (see arrows on the image above), or the back of most locking pulls. The numbers indicate the size, so that 5C = #5 Coil Zipper, 8C = #7 Coil Zipper, and so on.  Another way to check the size of a pull is to measure the inside dimension of the bottom of the zipper to determine size for of pulls (see image below for where to measure): #7 = .7 cm wide, #5 = .55 cm wide, etc.   Be sure to check the size, or measure, before installing or ordering replacement pulls.

Coil Zipper by the Yard

Coil zipper by the yard is zipper tape without the pulls and is bought by the yard.  It is especially well suited for application to packs, bags, sleeping bags, and garments which do not require a separating zipper. Coil zipper bends around corners better than molded tooth or metal zippers, so it is great for places that need the zipper to bend around a corner.  Zipper by the yard is great for times when you need several different lengths or for a specific length that you cannot buy in standard length.  It is also great for applications where both ends are encased in the garment or bag (such as for large pockets, bag/pack tops, etc). Coil zipper by the yard does not come with pulls, so you have to add pulls to the zipper either before or after the zipper in installed (depending on the project).  We will show you have to add zipper pulls to zipper by the yard below.  Zipper by the yard also comes in different sizes, which is based on the width of the teeth.  You will need to have coil zipper pulls that match the zipper by the yard size in order for them to work together.  In other words, you need #5 pull for a #5 zipper, a #7 pull for a #7 zipper.  The only confusing thing about this is that the #7 zipper pull and zipper are also called #8 (because they are the same thing).