How Zippers work?

An image guide to visualise how Zippers work

Zippers are everywhere—on clothes, bags, and all kinds of things we use every day. But we rarely stop to think about how they work. They’re simple yet brilliant: they hold two pieces of fabric tightly together but can also open up quickly when needed.

So, how does this little invention do its job? Let’s break it down with a few simple images.

Inner Structure

The zipper works because of the slide. Inside the slide are wedges that take the small effort you use to pull it and turn it into a strong force. This force opens or closes the teeth.

The teeth are designed to lock together one at a time, in a precise order. Without the slide, you can’t just pull the teeth apart or push them together—it’s practically impossible.

Opening the Zipper

When you pull a zipper open, the triangular wedge inside the slide pushes the teeth apart. It moves through the row of teeth, separating them one by one. This precise design ensures the zipper opens smoothly without damaging the teeth.