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Practical Uses of Magnetic Thumbtacks

Utilizing thumbtack magnets for home and office organization

Article Overview

Our magnetic thumbtacks, aka magnetic push pins, have been featured in many previous articles, but this time, they'll get their own spotlight.

In this article we will discuss magnetic thumbtacks and cover the following topics:

Variety of colorful, strong neodymium magnetic thumbtacks

1. What are magnetic thumbtacks used for?

Magnetic thumbtacks and magnetic push pins are the perfect solution for hanging things in both the home and office as they are both affordable and made with strong rare earth neodymium magnets. Below are some common uses for thumbtack magnets.

Magnetic thumbtacks as fridge magnets

Magnetic thumbtacks are a great and colorful way to hang photos, recipes, to do lists and more up on the fridge. Also see our Fridge magnets for more options for hanging on a fridge with magnets.

Pushpin magnets holding a shopping list on fridge
Thumbtack Fridge Magnets

Easy removal, colorful, good for fridge or office!

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Magnetic thumbtacks used to hold to do list on fridge
Magnetic thumbtacks used to hold oven mit on fridge

Hanging posters with magnetic thumbtacks

Magnetic thumbtacks can be used to hang posters, pictures and photographs or other types of art to any magnetic surface. Check out our Magnets for Hanging Art & Signs for more magnetic hanging options.

Selection of magnets ideal for hanging artwork, photos and more on a wall
Art, Photo and Sign Magnets

Magnets ideal for hanging your artwork, pictures and signs

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Magnetic thumbtacks for posting hanging on steel wall

Magnetic thumbtacks for home or office organization

Magnetic thumbtacks are a great way to stay organized at home or in the office. They are perfect for hanging reminders, photos and more to filing cabinets, fridges and magnetic dry erase boards. Also see our Magnetic whiteboard magnets and Magnetic glass magnets for more ways to use magnets at home or in the office.

Selection of magnets ideal for hanging on magnetic glass, dry erase and whiteboards
Dry Erase & Magnetic Whiteboard Magnets

Magnets ideal for magnetic glass, dry erase and whiteboards

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Magnetic thumbtacks for hanging things on a filing cabinet
Magnetic thumbtacks for hanging things on a magnetic glass dry erase board
Magnetic thumbtacks for hanging things on a magnetic whiteboard

Using magnetic thumbtacks as a stud finder

Another great way to use magnetic thumbtacks is as a stud finder. The XLTK magnetic thumbtack size is perfect for this and if you slowly slide it along a wall it will be attracted to screws or nails. Learn more in our Magnet Stud Finder blog article.

Best magnets to find studs behind walls
Stud Finder Magnets

Magnets ideal for finding studs in walls

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Magnetic thumbtack being used as a stud finder magnet

Other uses for magnetic thumbtacks

Some other uses for magnetic thumbtacks include key holders, recipe or calender holders, accessory hangers, creating a display of art and more!

Have any cool ways to use your magnetic thumbtacks that we missed? Send us an email with the pictures for the chance to be posted in this article!

Magnetic thumbtacks being used as a key holder

Shop Magnetic Thumbtacks

Explore variety of strong, colorful neodymium thumbtack magnets.

Pack of large magnetic thumbtacks in a variety of colors Blue magnetic thumbtack Pack of red and green magnetic thumbtacks for Christmas colors

2. Magnetic Thumbtack FAQ

Here is a collection of questions that people commonly ask about magnetic thumbtacks and magnetic push pins.

Magnetic thumbtacks in clear view to show design vs. a traditional thumbtack or push pin

What are magnetic thumbtacks?

A magnetic thumbtack, or magnetic push pin, is a thumbtack or pushpin shape, but instead of a sharp pin on the end, there is a magnet. This allows you to easily hang items onto steel surfaces without damaging the item being hung.


Will magnetic pushpins work on my dry erase board?

Yes! Neodymium magnetic push pins work well on magnetic dry erase boards, magnetic whiteboards or magnetic glass dry erase boards. However, there are certain factors to consider. Check out our Magnetic Dry Erase Boards article or our Dry Erase Board Magnets to learn more.


How much will a magnetic push pin hold?

A magnetic push pin or magnetic thumbtack strength depends on several factors like what it's attracting to, if there is a gap between the magnet and steel surface, if the weight is being held vertically or horizontally, friction, etc. Learn more in our How Much Will a Magnet Hold? article.

3. Testing Magnetic Thumbtacks

How much do our TK magnetic thumbtacks and XLTK magnetic thumbtacks hold on a fridge, filing cabinet or magnetic whiteboard? We did some testing to see how many pieces of copy paper our magnetic push pins could hold to various surfaces.

Magnetic thumbtacks product size comparison

Pull Force Case 1: TK - 1.75 lb

Pull Force Case 1: XLTK - 7.45 lb

Surface
TK-BLK (sheets of paper)
XLTK-BLK (sheets of paper)
Painted Fridge
8
26
Stainless Steel Fridge
10
28
Filing Cabinet
14
28
Magnetic Whiteboard
6
18
Magnetic Glass Dry Erase Board
0
6
Painted Steel Door
8
28

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