How to Snap Your Fingers

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Whether you're trying to get the attention of your butler or just jamming along to your favorite song, there's nothing like knowing how to give a sharp, loud snap of your fingers. Snapping comes easier for some people than for others, but with a little practice, almost everyone can do it. Start trying today and you should have it soon — with any luck, it'll be a snap!

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Doing a Basic Snap

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Snap Your Fingers
    Begin by resting the pad (the flat, fleshy part) of your thumb against the pad of your middle finger. Don't use the tips of your fingers — you want the soft, squishy parts to meet. A good way to get the right positioning is to pretend you're picking up something heavy with your thumb and middle finger. [1]
    • To start, practice with your dominant hand (the same one you use to write). When you master the basic snap, you can try with your other hand.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Snap Your Fingers
    Without moving your thumb and middle finger, take your ring finger and pinky and rest them gently against the heel of your palm or the base of your thumb — wherever feels natural. Try to leave a little room at the base of the thumb for your middle finger to snap against the fleshy part at the bottom.
    • These fingers aren't involved in the snap, but this part is crucial. The ring finger and pinky basically "prop up" the rest of the hand, allowing you to use more force when you snap (and thus get a louder sound).
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Snap Your Fingers
    Now, start to press your thumb and middle finger together, but don't let either one move out of the way yet. [2] Press fairly hard here — a little harder then may feel natural at first. There should be enough pressure to turn the tips of your fingers a little red.
    • The more pressure you build up, the more power behind your snap. While it's hard to hurt yourself this way, if you feel pain, you're pressing a little too hard.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Snap Your Fingers
    Move your index finger down so it rests against your thumb without letting up on the pressure. Move the thumb from the middle finger to the index finger. Your middle finger should slide off of your thumb and "snap" towards your palm. It should hit the fleshy base of your thumb and make a sharp cracking sound. Congratulations — you've just snapped your fingers.
    • Don't worry if you can't get it on the first try. This is something many people have difficulty with at first, but once you get it, it quickly becomes easy. See below for tips on getting your snap just right.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Snap Your Fingers
    The only way to get better at finger snapping is to do it! Once you get your first good, loud "snap," try to replicate your motions exactly until you get good results again. Within a few days, you should be able to snap fairly consistently.
    • If you can't seem to get a good snapping noise, try a few more times and make sure you're doing the following:
    • Keeping good pressure between your thumb and middle finger until you make your snap
    • Keeping your ring finger and pinky folded firmly down against your palm
    • Leaving enough room at the base of your thumb for your middle finger to hit — your middle finger should not end up behind your ring finger
    • If you're still having little success, try one of the alternate methods below — some people find them easier.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Using Alternate Methods

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Snap Your Fingers
    Though the middle finger usually gives easier, louder, "sharper" snaps, some people prefer using their ring finger to snap. The basic approach here is to simply do the basic snapping motion, only with your thumb shifted down one finger. In other words:
    • Press the pad of your thumb against the pad of your ring finger.
    • Fold your pinky down against your palm or the base of your thumb.
    • Build up pressure between your thumb and ring finger. This can be easier if you move your middle finger and index finger down next to it.
    • Slide your thumb from your ring finger to your middle finger. Your ring finger should snap down and smack against the base of your thumb, making a snapping sound.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Snap Your Fingers
    Some people are able to get exceptionally loud snaps by essentially putting their whole arm into the snapping motion, snapping as they whip their hand down. Be careful not to over-do the hand motions here — you can give yourself a sore wrist if you use too much force. To snap with this method:
    • Get ready to do a normal snap. Press your thumb against your middle finger (or ring finger, if you prefer), fold the ring finger and pinky down (just the pinky if you're snapping with your ring finger), and build up pressure.
    • Turn your palm so that it faces to the side (in the direction of your torso). Your arm should be loose and relaxed from the wrist through the elbow.
    • In one quick, smooth motion, bring your elbow in and turn your palm up. Then, bring your elbow out and whip your hand down, turning your wrist so that your palm faces the ground. Snap as you whip your hand!
    • If you're successful, you should get an extra-loud snap. Keep practicing if you don't get it at first. This one can take some time.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Snap Your Fingers
    When you've gotten the hang of doing one snap at once, try to make two. It's tricky to get the same level of volume with this technique, but getting the double snap sound itself isn't that difficult. To do a double snap: [3]
    • Get ready to do a ring finger snap. Your thumb and ring finger should be pressed together, with your pinky folded down and your other two fingers lined up next to your ring finger. You must start on the ring finger — you can't do a double snap starting on your middle finger.
    • Build up pressure against your ring finger. Keep your middle and index finger close to it.
    • Slide your thumb to your middle finger without letting up on the pressure, then quickly slide it to your index finger without pausing.
    • If you do this right, your ring finger should snap against the flesh of your palm immediately followed by your middle finger, making two quick (but separate) snapping sounds. Try practicing this rapid-fire double snap along to your favorite song!
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Snap Your Fingers
    What use is knowing how to snap if you can't recreate your favorite scenes from West Side Story ? Snapping with both hands is easy — it's simply a matter of building up your strength and technique in your non-dominant hand with practice once you've mastered snapping with your dominant hand. Any of the techniques above can work for your non-dominant hand, so experiment until you find the one you like the best!
    • For an added challenge, try using two different snapping techniques at once! For instance, you might try doing normal snaps with your right hand and double snaps with your left.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Is it normal for my middle finger to hurt after my first snap?
    KittenCake79
    Community Answer
    Your fingers aren't used to this kind of movement, since this is the first time you snapped. As you keep doing it, your fingers will get used to it and you will be able to do it with ease and without pain.
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    Not Helpful 47 Helpful 228
  • Question
    I keep trying, but I am a little scared that my fingers will break. I really want to, but I am scared. What should I do?
    KittenCake79
    Community Answer
    Snapping will not, in any way, do any damage to your hand. I have been snapping since I was three and my hands feel fine. In fact, I'm the fastest typer in my class!
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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    Not Helpful 64 Helpful 179
  • Question
    How do I make my snap louder?
    Community Answer
    There's no special technique, but it helps if your hands are not damp or sweaty.
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    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
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      Tips

      • Note, however, that some sources claim that soaking wet hands give the loudest snaps. [4]
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      • When you snap, the noise doesn't come from your two fingers rubbing against each other — it actually comes from your finger slapping against the fleshy part of your palm. Essentially, you're clapping with just one finger on one hand! To test this, try snapping with a tissue covering your palm. The sound should be greatly diminished. [5]
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      • The moisture level of your hands can affect your ability to snap. If your hands too moist or greasy to build up good pressure (e.g., if you just put on lotion), drying them with a paper towel may help. On the other hand, if they're exceptionally dry, you may want to use just a tiny bit of lotion to re-moisturize them.
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      Warnings

      • Be careful who is watching if you use the arm-shaking method. In some cultures, this is considered brash or inappropriate.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://ipfs.io/ipfs/QmXoypizjW3WknFiJnKLwHCnL72vedxjQkDDP1mXWo6uco/wiki/Finger_snapping.html
      2. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finger_snapping
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y98cqSOFDqc
      4. ↑ http://www.scienceworld.ca/how-do-you-snap-your-fingers
      5. ↑ http://www.scienceworld.ca/how-do-you-snap-your-fingers
      6. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oo3cKxlkQZc

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To snap your fingers, rest the pad of your thumb against the pad of your middle finger, and fold down your ring finger and pinky so they rest against your hand. Hold your index finger so it’s beside your middle finger but not touching your thumb. Press your thumb and middle finger together firmly until the tips of your fingers turn a little red, then slide your thumb from your middle finger to your index finger. It might take a little practice, but when you get it right, you will hear a sharp cracking sound. To learn how to snap with your ring finger, read on!

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      Reader Success Stories

      • Saanjh S.

        Nov 5, 2023

        "Actually I was not able to snap my fingers and make sound. After I read this I was able to make sound. So, thank ..." more
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