What is a Button "Ligne" (L)?
In garment manufacturing, buttons are internationally measured using an ancient French unit of measurement called the Ligne (denoted by the capital letter L). One Ligne equals exactly 0.635 millimeters (or 1/40th of an inch).
If you walk into Sadar Bazaar (Delhi) or place an order with an export trims factory and ask for a "15mm button", traditional traders will convert it to 24L. Understanding Ligne sizes is essential to avoid costly manufacturing mistakes where buttonholes are stitched too small or too large for the button.
Standard Button Ligne Conversion Table
| Ligne (L) | Diameter (mm) | Inches | Standard Garment Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14L | 8.89 mm | 0.35" | Shirt Cuffs, Collar Points, Inner Pocket Flaps |
| 16L | 10.16 mm | 0.40" | Men's Formal Shirt Cuffs & Casual Plackets |
| 18L | 11.43 mm | 0.45" | Standard Men's & Women's Formal Shirt Front Plackets |
| 20L | 12.7 mm | 0.50" | Casual Cotton Tops, Polos, Cardigan Fronts |
| 24L | 15.24 mm | 0.60" | Women's Blouses, Light Snap Buttons, Skirts |
| 28L | 17.78 mm | 0.70" | Safari Shirts, Lightweight Jackets, Chino Waistbands |
| 32L | 20.32 mm | 0.80" | Denim Jackets, Workwear Dungarees, Blazer Sleeves |
| 36L | 22.86 mm | 0.90" | Overcoats, Heavy Parkas, Winter Trench Coats |
Types of Button Materials Commonly Sourced in India
- Polyester / Resin Buttons: The most common commercial button used on 90% of shirts. Highly durable, chemical-resistant, and machine-wash safe.
- Solid Brass Snap Fasteners (24L): Premium non-rusting fasteners used on jackets, chore coats, and western blouses. Always test for 90N pull-off strength.
- Corozo & Wood: Natural, eco-friendly sustainable buttons derived from the tagua palm nut, preferred by sustainable D2C apparel labels.
- Mother of Pearl (Shell): High-end luxury formal shirting buttons with natural iridescent sheen.
Direct Sourcing on Dainmart
Order Verified Button Sample Cards with 1-Click
Stop guessing dimensions from photos. Order a physical 20-piece button sample card containing 14L, 18L, 24L, and 32L brass snaps from verified Sadar Bazaar manufacturers.