Hoodie strings are called drawstrings or drawcords, and the tips on the ends are aglets.
If you’ve ever tried to replace a missing cord, you’ve felt the naming problem. Search “hoodie string” and you’ll see items from shoelace kits to paracord. Use the right terms and you can match the look, the feel, and the length without guessing. Searching what are the strings on your hoodie called? usually means you need a replacement cord or a quick fix.
Common Hoodie String Terms At A Glance
| Term | What It Refers To | Quick Note |
|---|---|---|
| Drawstring | The cord that tightens the hood opening | Common name in stores and searches |
| Drawcord | Apparel spec term for the same hood cord | Common on tags, tech packs, and listings |
| Aglet | The tip at each cord end | Stops fraying and helps threading |
| Eyelet | The cord exit hole on the hood | Stitched, embroidered, or metal-lined |
| Grommet | A metal ring that reinforces an eyelet | Smooth pull, can wear soft cords |
| Channel | The fabric tunnel the cord runs through | Where cords twist or snag |
| Cord Lock | A spring clamp that holds tension | Tightens without tying |
| Toggle | A stopper you slide to cinch the hood | Fast, adds bulk at the ends |
| Bar Tack | Dense stitching inside the channel | Helps keep a one-piece cord centered |
Why Hoodies Have Strings
A hood is meant to sit loose, then tighten when you want it. Pull the cord and the opening shrinks, so the rim stays near your cheeks instead of sliding back. It also keeps the hood from drooping into your eyes when you turn your head.
That same cord helps balance the hood. A small pull can shift fabric forward. A small release can stop bunching near your ears. It’s a tiny adjustment, yet the hoodie feels different.
What Are The Strings On Your Hoodie Called?
The standard term is drawstring. In apparel manufacturing and product specs, you’ll also see drawcord. Both point to a cord that runs through a casing so it can tighten an opening. If you want a plain definition for copy or product notes, the Merriam-Webster entry for drawstring matches how hoodies use the word.
People still say “hood strings” and “hood cords,” and they’ll be understood. Some call them “laces” because many hoodies use flat, shoelace-style cords. When you’re searching online, “hoodie drawstring” and “hoodie drawcord” return the cleanest match set.
Drawstring Vs Drawcord
Drawstring is common speech. It can be a round cord, flat lace, ribbon, or tape. Drawcord is the shop-floor term you’ll see in specs and parts lists. There’s no strict rule that one must be round and the other flat. The context is what changes.
What The End Tips Are Called
The little caps on the ends are aglets. They keep the cord from unraveling and make the end stiff enough to feed through the channel. Aglets can be plastic, metal, or heat-sealed. If your cord end looks fuzzy, the aglet is cracked, loose, or missing.
Hoodie Strings Names And Parts You Can Spot
Knowing the parts helps with quick fixes. It also helps when you order replacements, since many listings describe the holes, tips, and hardware as much as the cord.
Eyelets And Grommets
The cord leaves the hood through two holes near the neckline. A stitched opening is an eyelet. A metal ring that reinforces that opening is often called a grommet. If a cord starts shredding near the holes, feel the edge of the grommet. A rough spot can act like sandpaper.
The Channel Or Casing
Inside the hood hem is a tunnel. That tunnel is the channel, also called a casing. When a drawstring slides inside the hood, it’s usually uneven inside this tunnel. A seam bump, a bar tack, or a twist can make it feel stuck.
Cord Locks And Stoppers
Some hoodies have a spring clamp that pinches the cord. That’s a cord lock. Others use a simple stopper or toggle. These parts are common on outdoor styles, where you want a snug hood without tying a knot.
Picking A Replacement Drawstring That Looks Right
Replacement cords vary. Match three things and you’ll get a factory-like look: length, thickness, and finish.
Length
If you still have the old cord, measure tip to tip. If the cord is gone, measure the hood opening seam from one exit hole to the other, then add 16–20 inches so you have enough to grab and tie. Oversized hoodies often need more length so the ends don’t sit up near your collarbones.
Thickness And Shape
Round cords glide and cinch smoothly. Flat laces lie flatter on the chest and show patterns better. Use the eyelet as a reality check: the cord should pass through without scraping. If you plan to add a cord lock, match the cord width to the lock’s slot.
Material Feel
Cotton ties easily and feels soft. Polyester sheds less lint and dries faster. Braided cords grip and hold knots. Flat woven laces can look cleaner on streetwear. If the hoodie uses metal grommets, a tougher cord can last longer at the holes.
Tip Style
Plastic tips are light and quiet in the wash. Metal tips feel heavier and can look sharper. Raw ends are cheap, yet they fray unless you seal them. Heat-shrink tubing works as a tidy DIY aglet, and a tight thread wrap can also hold an end together.
How To Re-Thread A Hoodie Drawstring
If the cord slips out, you can re-thread it at home. You just need a leader that can snake through the channel.
Safety Pin Method
- Clip a large safety pin to one end of the cord.
- Feed the pin into one eyelet and push it into the channel.
- Scrunch the fabric over the pin, then pull the pin forward, repeat.
- Pull the cord out the other side and remove the pin.
After threading, center the cord so both ends match. Tie small end knots to keep it centered.
Tube Method For Flat Laces
- Slide the lace end into a straw or empty pen tube and tape it in place.
- Push the tube through the channel so the lace doesn’t fold.
- Pull the lace out on the far side and remove the tube.
If you’re troubleshooting a listing or video and you’re still thinking, “what are the strings on your hoodie called?”, use drawstring in the search box. Add “aglet” when you’re shopping for tips, and add “cord lock” when you want hardware.
Care Tips That Keep The Cord Neat
Most cord wear comes from heat, friction, and snags. A few habits can keep the ends from vanishing and the tips from cracking.
Tie A Loose Bow Before Washing
A loose bow keeps the drawstring centered and stops the ends from slipping into the hood. Keep it loose so it doesn’t crease the cord.
Go Easy On Dryer Heat
High heat can warp plastic aglets and stiffen some cords. If the care label allows it, air drying or low heat keeps the cord closer to its original feel.
Reduce Snags
Turn the hoodie inside out so the cord rubs less against zippers and rough seams. If your hoodie has metal tips, check that they’re still tight before washing so they don’t pop off.
Common Hoodie String Problems And Quick Fixes
| Problem | Fix | Swap The Cord When |
|---|---|---|
| One end vanished into the hood | Pull the longer side until both ends match | You can’t grip the short end |
| End is fraying | Trim fuzz, then seal with heat-shrink or thread wrap | Fray keeps spreading past the seal |
| Aglet missing | Add a new aglet or heat-shrink sleeve | The cord end is too soft to thread |
| Cord stuck in the channel | Massage the seam to loosen bunching, then pull slowly | A seam snag won’t release |
| Cord twists and flips | Pull out, straighten, then re-thread with the tube method | Kinks won’t straighten |
| Grommet edge feels rough | File lightly, then coat the edge with clear polish | The ring is cracked or sharp |
| Knot slips | Tie a double overhand knot and flatten the tails | The cord is slick and won’t hold |
| Cord lock won’t grip | Remove lint, then test the spring | The spring is bent or weak |
Drawstring Safety Notes For Kids’ Hoodies
Neck and hood cords on children’s upper outerwear can snag on playground gear, doors, and moving parts. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission explains that hood and neck drawstrings on children’s upper outerwear in sizes 2T to 12 present a strangulation hazard and are treated as a substantial product hazard. The full guidance is on CPSC drawstring guidance.
If you’re buying for a child, check the hood area first. Many kids’ styles use snaps, elastic, or short no-loop tabs instead of a free cord. If a hoodie has a long cord at the neck, choose a different style for daily wear.
Quick Checklist Before You Buy Or Swap A Cord
- Measure length so the ends sit evenly after threading.
- Match cord width to the eyelets and any cord lock hardware.
- Pick round cords for smooth pull, flat laces for a flatter look.
- Choose tips that match your hoodie’s vibe and washing habits.
- For kids’ sizes, avoid neck cords and favor safer hood closures.
Once you know the names, the whole hoodie makes more sense. The cord is the drawstring or drawcord. The tips are aglets. The holes are eyelets or grommets. That’s all you need to shop smarter, fix faster, and keep the hood feeling right.