How to Punch a Hole in a Leather Belt

Don’t fit into your favorite belt, but don’t want to take it to a tailor to get a new hole punched? You can do it at home, even without special tools, and we’re here to show you how. We talked to professional tailor Young Kim to show you how to punch holes in leather with a leather punch, an awl or any other sharp tool, or even a drill. Then, personal stylist Paul Julch shares how to correctly size a belt.

Punching a Belt Hole with Home Tools

Measure the distance between the existing holes, then use a pen to mark the same distance from the last hole. Position a sharp, pointed tool (such as a rod punch , an awl , or a Phillips-head screwdriver) over the mark, then tap the tool with a mallet or hammer to pierce the leather with 1 or 2 firm strikes.

Section 1 of 4:

Using a Rotary Leather Hole Punch

Download Article

1
Find a leather hole punch that matches the size of the existing holes. Rotary punches are specially made to punch holes in leather, and are the ideal method. They look like pliers with handles, and have several “heads” on a wheel. ^{[1]
X
Research source} Adjust your punch so that the proper head points to the opposite clamp of the punch—the head should snugly fit into one of the existing holes of your belt.
- Rotary punches have a wheel with many different punch sizes, so they’re the best choice if you want to punch different-sized holes.
2
Measure and mark the location of the next hole with a pen. Use a ruler or measuring tape to find the distance between the center of each hole, then measure the same distance past the last hole. ^{[2]
X
Research source} Dot the leather with a sharp object or permanent marker to guide your punching.
- Don’t use tape to mark this spot, since tape could damage the leather.
- If you’re making a belt from scratch, the holes are typically spaced ½" (1.25 cm) apart for belts under ⅜" (1 cm) wide, and up to 1⅛" (2.85 cm) apart for belts above 1" (2.5 cm) wide.
Advertisement
3
Place the punch over the mark and squeeze the handles. Position the punch directly over the mark you made, making sure it's centered along the belt’s width. Then, just squeeze as hard as you can until the punch pierces through the belt.
- Clamp one end of the belt and hold the other end taut with your free hand, or ask a friend to hold the belt taut, for an easier and cleaner punch.
- You may need to wiggle the punch slightly as you squeeze it to pierce the leather.
- After, use a toothpick or needle to remove any leather scraps from the punch itself.

Section 2 of 4:

Using a Simple Rod Punch, Awl, or Sharp Tool

Download Article

1
Select a rod punch, awl, or another sharp tool that fits the belt holes. A rod punch is a hollow-tipped rod made specially for punching holes in leather. An awl is a sharp needle-like tool with a handle also made for punching leather. Or, Kim tells us that you may use any other strong, sharp tool, like a thick nail or a Phillips-head screwdriver.
- Whichever you choose, make sure it matches the size of the belt’s holes—it should fit snugly into the existing holes.
- If the belt doesn’t have any holes, use a tool that’s about as thick as the arm of the belt buckle that will be inserted through the belt holes.
2
Measure and mark the location of the new hole with a pen. Use a ruler or measuring tape to measure the distance between the centers of the existing holes. Then, use that measurement to mark the position of the new hole after the last existing hole with your sharp tool or a pen. ^{[3]
X
Research source}
- If you’re belt doesn’t have any holes, keep in mind that holes are usually spaced ½" (1.25 cm) apart for belts under ⅜" (1 cm) wide, and up to 1⅛" (2.85 cm) apart for belts above 1" (2.5 cm) wide.
You’ll be using a mallet to strike the sharp tool through the belt, so place the belt on a work surface like an old wooden table or even on the ground, where you won’t damage the surface. Use clamps to hold the belt taut, or ask a friend to hold the belt for you. ^{[4]
X
Research source}
4
Position the punch over your mark and strike it with a mallet. In your off hand, hold the punch, awl, or sharp tool so that the point touches the mark you made on the belt. Make sure it’s centered along the belt’s width. Then, with your dominant hand, strike the handle of the punch straight down with a mallet or a hammer.
- Aim to pierce the belt in one quick strike, though you may need to strike it multiple times if it doesn’t pierce on the first go.

Section 3 of 4:

Using an Electric Drill

Download Article

Kim says an electric drill is a good alternative to more traditional methods. First, choose a drill bit that fits snugly into the existing holes. If the belt doesn’t have existing holes, use a drill bit that’s about as wide as the arm on the belt buckle that holds the belt in place. A brad-pointed drill bit works best for leather.
2
Measure and mark the location of the new hole. Use a ruler to measure the spacing between the center of each hole, then measure the same distance past the last hole. Use a marker or a sharp object to dot the belt over the spot where you plan to punch. ^{[5]
X
Research source}
- If you are making a belt from scratch, the holes are typically spaced ½" (1.25 cm) apart for belts under ⅜" (1 cm) wide, and up to 1⅛" (2.85 cm) apart for belts above 1" (2.5 cm) wide.
- If your top priority is a comfortable fit, instead of measuring holes, wear the belt and pull it to a comfortable position, then mark the belt where the strap tongue touches it.
Since you’ll be drilling through the belt, work on a surface that can stand to get a little damaged, like a wood block. ^{[6]
X
Research source} Use heavy objects to weigh down each end of the belt, with the location where the hole will be punched on top of the block of wood or other hard, flat surface.
4
Drill straight down through the mark on the belt. Hold the drill straight over the mark, and use short bursts to drill downward into the belt. Drill until you pierce all the way through the belt, then reverse the drill and pull it out. ^{[7]
X
Research source}
- After, roll up a bit of sandpaper (use any grit available) and thread it through the new hole. Twist the sandpaper back and forth a few times to tidy up the hole.
- Also, use a razor to trim away any scraps or threads that may be around the new hole.

Section 4 of 4:

Sizing a Belt

Download Article

Choose a belt that’s 1 size up from your waist size. Julch says to “always go for the belt size that's bigger than your waist size.” Most belts are sized in inches, he says, so choose one that’s about 2 inches up, meaning that if you wear a 32 waist, you should go with a 33 or 34-sized belt.
- Julch also tells us that a rule of thumb for any new belt is that you should be able to buckle it on the third hole. This gives you room for growth, or shrinking.
- If you’re making a belt, the same principle applies, but account for added material at the end of the belt. So, if you wear size 30 pants, make it so that one of the center holes on the belt is 32 inches along its length, with a few holes on either side, just to be safe.

Video

Read Video Transcript

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

How do I get a hole in a web belt?

Community Answer

You should be able to do it using just a sewing needle and a pair of chain nose pliers. Stab the needle through, and use the pliers to dig out the piece you're taking out.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 21 Helpful 8
Question

What if my waist is getting smaller?

Community Answer

That is what this article is for; you can punch a new hole in your belt to make it fit your waist better.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 6
Question

How do I punch a hole in paper without a punch hole?

Ayda Creek

Community Answer

You can use scissors, a knife, a pencil, or really anything round and slightly sharp to punch a hole. It may not be the most neat, but it works.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 8 Helpful 2

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

Belt punches come in different shapes, like ovals or tear drops. Choose the shape that most excites you!

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
If you are making a belt from scratch, you'll also need an "English point" hole punch to create the hole where the strap end will be embedded.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
If you don’t want to do this yourself, bring your belt to a tailor. Most tailors will be able to add holes to a belt in just minutes.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

Knives, scissors, or paper hole punches are not recommended. Punching a hole through a belt takes more effort than you might think. Finding a better tool will save time and frustration, and reduce the risk of injury.

Thanks
Helpful 8 Not Helpful 10

You Might Also Like

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

Log in

How to Punch a Hole in a Leather Belt

Punching a Belt Hole with Home Tools

Steps

Using a Rotary Leather Hole Punch

Using a Simple Rod Punch, Awl, or Sharp Tool

Using an Electric Drill

Sizing a Belt

Video

Community Q&A

Tips

Warnings

You Might Also Like

References

About This Article

Reader Success Stories

Did this article help you?

Quizzes

You Might Also Like

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Featured Articles

Featured Articles

Watch Articles

Trending Articles

Quizzes

Explore Categories