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Let’s be honest, many lanyards are ugly. Just uttering this sentence alone might bring back visceral memories of scratchy polyester and an unmistakable plastic scent, perhaps from your school days or even at a work event. In 2026, it doesn’t have to be this way.
Thanks to a steadfast progression in printing technology and industry standards, the expectation du jour is for designs with longevity, printing that wows, a comfortable strap for the user, and modifications closely aligned with the lanyard’s purpose, no less. Yet, when asked, many businesses struggle to answer the simple question: What is a lanyard used for?
If you dig deeper into basic responses like ‘out of habit’ or ‘to carry work ID’, you’ll quickly find that lanyards are much more versatile than people give them credit for – especially since they’ve expanded beyond set industries and offices into pretty much every aspect of life.
Here, in this guide, I’ll be sharing the many use cases for which I’ve supplied lanyards in over 25 years in the industry, plus some practical insights on getting the details right, from dimensions to accessories.
Skip to:
- TL;DR
- A Refresher on the Humble Lanyard
- What is the General Purpose of a Lanyard?
- 15 Practical Uses for Lanyards
- Conclusion
- FAQs
TL;DR
Lanyards, if designed well, can suit any industry or personal need. Popular uses include securely displaying ID badges, carrying keys, keeping access cards handy, displaying event passes or tickets, demonstrating awareness or allyship, supporting accessibility and safeguarding, and enhancing brand visibility across workplaces, schools and events. They also offer creative and sustainable reuse options beyond traditional ID purposes.
A Refresher on the Humble Lanyard
You’re probably familiar with the concept of throwing a piece of sturdy material around your neck, emblazoned with your company branding, maybe with a card holder clipped to an attachment for displaying your ID. This humble piece of kit is a lanyard.
For many businesses, using lanyards isn’t even a question, but simply ‘what you do’ – supplying staff with low-maintenance, easy-to-use identification that can be worn around the neck or clipped to a belt if needs be. But lanyards come in many forms, and provide a multitude of options for showcasing your brand, supporting check-in protocols, streamlining item management and everything in between.
There are pared-back styles for settings where hygiene is the priority, and then more visually complex designs with all the flashy extras to win over the hearts and minds of VIP guests at events. Of course, materials and finishes play a huge role in the final look, but they also correlate with the longevity and cost of the product.
Boiling It Down to the Very Basics: Fundamentally, What is a Lanyard Used for?
While on a cosmic scale, lanyards haven’t been on the scene for that long, it feels as though they’ve been embedded in workplace culture since the dawn of time. Originating in the 1700s as a sort of neck strap for sailors who wanted to free up their hands for scaling the rigging, their use has evolved significantly.
On a basic level, lanyards are simply designed to hold lightweight items around the neck, wrist, waist or pocket, allowing for hands-free carrying and the ability to multitask. Its primary purpose is to keep essentials within easy reach, clean, secure, and visible – all desirable things for a variety of settings, from a shopfloor to a bustling NHS ward.
13 Practical Uses for Lanyards, Bridging the Professional to Personal Divide
So, yes, the possible uses of lanyards are limitless; that’s the beauty of these universal tools. When modified to your requirements, they can be adapted to suit even the most niche applications. Every element of a lanyard’s design, therefore, ought to be intentional and cohesive, working as a unit to enhance functionality and streamline the wearer’s experience.
Made well, a quality lanyard will stay with its owner for years, often following them out of the workplace and into their personal life as a practical accessory for general use. Now, let’s get into some specific examples.
In the Professional World
1. Seamless Workplace ID & Secure Access
By far the most common uses for lanyards are displaying staff ID badges and access cards. In offices, warehouses, healthcare settings and public buildings, visible identification is the cornerstone of security and building trust. Even in high-tech settings with state-of-the-art security systems, organisations can benefit from these tools, which act as a buffer in the case that the technology fails and prevent an overreliance on automation.
Choosing the right badge format matters too. If you’re unsure about sizing, our guide to IDbadge card size and dimensions explains standard UK options and how they pair with different lanyard clips. But to give you a taster, a practical lanyard design prioritised around security should use clear, high-contrast printing for company names and easy-to-read fonts and colour-code departments for on-the-go identification. You may also wish to consider breakaway clips for compliance reasons.
2. Simpler, Smoother Visitor Management
When visitors arrive on site, clarity is of the essence. To this purpose, lanyards make it immediately obvious who is a guest, contractor or member of staff, helping avoid awkward encounters and moments of uncertainty, which ultimately eat into work time. As we explore in our guide to managing visitors, visible identification oils the cogs of reception processes and contributes to a safer environment overall.
Design plays an important role here, likewise. Using bold “VISITOR” text along the strap and selecting a distinct colour from staff lanyards is a handy recipe for instant visual separation. Some organisations even use detachable clips for temporary passes or dated inserts in badge holders to prevent reuse.
3. Events & Conferences: Wayfinding, Branding & Sponsorship
At exhibitions and conferences, lanyards become part of the visual landscape, helping attendees navigate access levels, identify speakers or exhibitors, whilst they maintain consistency across large venues. As such, they’re often considered the hidden hero of exhibition planning and management.
Case in point: We’ve supplied lanyards for the Tour de Yorkshire, where an unassuming strip of fabric became visible on national television – worn by staff, organisers and participants, and picked up by cameras throughout the event. Here, double-sided printing really hit home the promotional exposure, allowing visibility from every angle. There was no way you’d miss that logo!
4. Supporting Safeguarding in Educational Settings
In schools and colleges, safeguarding is at the forefront of daily operations and embedded in the broader culture of safety in these environments. Of course, the bulk of this labour is translated into policy and staff training, but small hands-on measures are equally important on the day-to-day.
For instance, lanyards might form the basis of a visual identification system within schools, preventing the riff raff from slipping past receptionists in a busy moment. Because these institutions are often subject to an ebb and flow of visitors – from speakers, parents, carers and librarians – mandated colour-coding between staff, visitors and governors is an excellent step for maintaining clarity.
5. Everyday Brand Exposure
Beyond security and organisation, lanyards offer something many businesses overlook: long-term brand visibility. Unlike flyers or brochures, they’re worn repeatedly – in offices, at events, on public transport, even during the weekly big shop – extending brand exposure far beyond its original setting. To make that visibility effective, simplicity is key. That means keeping messaging clean and uncluttered for readability, while choosing colours that remain vibrant over time and project the best of your brand values.
6. Promoting Accessibility, Inclusion & Allyship
Lanyards can also communicate something more meaningful than job titles. In the UK, the NHS has long been an advocate of allyship lanyards, with its flagship rainbow badge scheme reaching its 8th year of operation. As NHS doctor and former Strictly Come Dancing star, Dr Ranj said, “Small gestures like this mean so much to those that really need it the most.” In fact, research into NHS Rainbow badges indicates that they have a tangible impact on the experience of care for LGBTQ+ patients.
If your workforce actively supports diversity initiatives and may also wish to reflect those values visually, lanyards are a simple yet meaningful first step to spark conversations around fostering a diverse work environment and allyship in the workplace.
Handy Uses in the Personal Sphere
7. Travel Made Easier (Passports, Boarding Passes & Luggage Tags)
Travelling can be chaotic, and keeping essentials close to hand can drastically impact the situation – especially when you’re jetlagged to all hell. Lanyards are often used to hold boarding passes, travel cards or luggage tags, but really, they can keep anything you want at hand: breath mints, your phone, lip balm, water bottles, or medication, you name it.
8. Key Organisation
For facilities managers, landlords or even busy households, key organisation is one of the most practical uses for lanyards – so obvious it’s often overlooked. Keeping those cumbersome keyrings at bay by having your go-tos visible and within reach means saved time.
In this use case, don’t forget to consider the strength of your hardware or printing options: heavier key sets benefit from durable metal clips, while colour-coding or simple text along the strap helps identification.
9. Carrying Medical ID Cards with Confidence
Here’s another one of the humble lanyard’s uses that brings about social good: they can hold a priority seating card for buses and trains, a Blue Badge when moving between vehicles, a hospital appointment card, or emergency medical information that needs to be visible quickly.
Then, there’s recognised schemes like the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard, designed to provide a discreet way to signal that someone may need additional support or understanding. In busy public spaces, having those details accessible rather than tucked away in a bag can make these situations smoother and less stressful.
10. A Practical (and Surprisingly Stylish) Everyday Accessory
Lanyards aren’t just for formal workplaces anymore. They’re useful for holding travel cards, gym passes or office fobs, especially if you’re moving between locations during the day.
For everyday wear, go slimmer and subtler. A 15mm width in a neutral colour feels more refined but retains its durability, while a detachable buckle lets you unclip keys or passes without taking the whole thing off. If it’s something you’ll wear daily, lightweight and soft-touch materials make all the difference.
Bonus: Creative Uses for Lanyards to Extend Their Lifespan
11. Repurpose It for Home or Hobbies
Before throwing spare lanyards away, think about how they could work elsewhere. They’re surprisingly strong and flexible and do well with a plethora of creative uses.
You can turn them into simple plant hangers, straps for displaying artwork, cable organisers for a home office, or even trim for sewing projects. Just check the fabric is still in good condition and remove metal clips if they’re not needed. A small bit of creativity can give them a second life.
12. Recycle Responsibly
If reuse isn’t possible (maybe the material just hasn’t held up), recycling is your next best bet – but don’t assume they can go straight into household recycling. Many lanyards are polyester, so it’s worth checking with your supplier or local council first.
Many companies, including ourselves at Only Lanyards, now offer closed-loop or sustainability-focused initiatives, such as British Print Co and Preseli’s recycling schemes. If you’re ordering in bulk, you ask about recycled materials or take-back options before you order.
13. Donate to Schools, Clubs or Community Groups
Finally, thirteen – unlucky for some, but not us today.
Spare lanyards could have a whole other life in the hands of someone new. Think: schools, youth clubs or local charities that still need affordable identification solutions but might be short on budget. It’s a simple way to reduce waste while supporting community initiatives. Circular economies for the win!
Conclusion: It’s Undeniable, Lanyards are Supremely Useful – You Just Have to Pick the Right One
What can I say? Lanyards are easily one of the most useful yet overlooked tools out there. With the right design choices and modifications, they can deliver real day-to-day convenience, whether that’s improving security, enhancing organisation, or simply making life a little easier.
The key is to build your lanyard around its purpose. Consider where it will be worn, what it needs to hold, and how it should function. When those elements are thoughtfully aligned, a lanyard becomes truly versatile, so much so that it fades seamlessly into the background of everyday life.
If you’re planning an event, overhauling visitor management or upgrading workplace ID, our team is here to help find a solution that fits you to a tee. We invite you to peruse our custom lanyard options or get in touch for a friendly word of advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Lanyard Used for in the Workplace?
In most standard workplaces – think shopfloors, public sector buildings and offices – lanyards are used to hold ID badges, access cards, keys, or security fobs. They’re designed to make identification visible and accessible, which helps with security, safeguarding, and general organisation. In busy environments, they also save time, eliminating the stressful scenario of rummaging through pockets or bags to find a pass when you’re up against the clock.
What Type of Lanyard is Safest for Fast-Paced Work Premises?
For fast-moving or hands-on environments, safety always comes first. Here, my go-to recommendation is breakaway lanyards, which are typically the safest option, as they’re designed to snap open if pulled or caught.
In some settings, such as a clinic or hospital, shorter lanyards or retractable badge reels are preferable as they reduce snagging risks and don’t swing around quite so much. But the right choice depends on the specific tasks and surroundings.
Are Lanyards Required for Child Safeguarding?
While lanyards themselves aren’t always legally required, visible ID is often a key part of safeguarding policies in schools, nurseries, and care settings. Lanyards make staff identification clear and immediate, helping children, parents, and visitors quickly recognise authorised adults. Many organisations also use colour coding to distinguish roles or access levels.
What are the Benefits of Lanyards?
The benefits of lanyards are many. They keep essentials where you want them: out of the way but within arm’s reach and, thus, secure, accessible and hygienic. From a security perspective, they’re the cheapest tool for access control, since you can spot and distinguish authorised staff from unwanted guests, all at a glance. They’re also cost-effective, durable, and customisable to suit different environments, making them one of the most versatile pieces of kit on the market.
What are the Key Considerations When Designing a Lanyard?
Start with the lanyard’s purpose. Where will it be worn? What needs to be attached? Does it need safety features like a breakaway clip? Should it be colour-coded or high-visibility?
Material, width, comfort, print clarity, and hardware all play a role in how well the lanyard performs day to day. When you design around function first, you usually end up with a lanyard that not only looks good, but genuinely works for the people wearing it.