Carpentry

Pull a stubborn or headless nail

A nail with a good head comes out with the hammer's claw and a block of wood for leverage. The tricky ones are nails with a snapped-off head, finish nails sunk below the surface, and nails you want out without marking the wood. Each has its own trick, and none needs more than a hammer and a couple of basic tools. Pulling finish nails through from the back of the trim leaves the face clean, and it's often easier than digging them out from the front.

End-cutting pliers gripping a headless nail in an old board and rolling it out over a scrap of wood, with a hammer and bent nails nearby
End-cutting pliers roll a headless nail out, and a scrap block protects the wood.
Quick answerSlide the claw under the head and put a scrap block under the hammer head for leverage. For headless nails, roll them out with end-cutting pliers; pull trim nails through from the back.
Worth checking firstCheck whether the head is intact before choosing a method. A good head comes out with the claw and a scrap block for leverage. A snapped head needs end-cutting pliers. For finish nails in trim you want to keep, pulling them through from the back leaves the face clean.

Good to knowQuick fix

Mike TurnerWritten and reviewed byMike TurnerUpdated Sources and safety notes
Easy5–15 min$0–15
Hammer claw pulling a nail with a scrap block under the head for leverage, and end-cutting pliers for a headless nail
Pulling a nail: get the claw under the head (1), set a block under the hammer head (2) and rock the handle back (3). For headless nails, roll them out with nippers (4).

Why leverage beats force

The claw works as a lever, and a lever works best when the pivot is close to the nail and high enough to keep the pull straight. That's why a scrap block under the hammer head helps so much: it raises the pivot, stops the nail bending over, and protects the surface.

For nails the claw can't grab, end-cutting pliers, also called nippers, roll the nail out a little at a time. For trim you want to reuse, pull the nails through from the back so the face doesn't splinter.

Why nails get stuck

Rust

Rusted nails grip the wood and snap more easily.

Ring-shank or coated nails

Ridges and coatings are designed to stay put.

A missing or flush head

There's nothing for the claw to catch.

Pulling at an angle

A nail pulled sideways bends instead of sliding out.

Which method?
The nailUseTip
Head sticks upHammer clawAdd a block under the hammer head.
Head is flushFlat pry bar, then the clawLift the head first.
No head, shank showingEnd-cutting pliersRoll, re-grip lower, repeat.
Snapped below the surfaceNail setSink it and fill the hole.
In trim you want to reusePliers from the backPull it through.
Protect your eyesWear safety glasses. Nails can spring loose, and rusted heads can snap off under pressure.

Pull the nail, step by step

0 of 5 done
  1. Get the claw under the headSlide the V of the claw under the nail head. If the head is flush with the wood, lift its edge first with the thin end of a flat pry bar, or tap the claw in gently at a low angle.
    Something went wrong?
    • The claw dents the wood Slide a putty knife or thin scrap under the hammer to protect the surface.
    Hammer claw slid under the head of a nail sticking up from a board
  2. Add a block for leverageOnce the nail is up a little, set a scrap block under the hammer head and rock the handle back. Switch to a thicker block as the nail rises so it keeps coming out straight.
    Scrap block under the hammer head as the handle rocks back to pull the nail straight
  3. Roll out headless nailsGrip the shank just above the surface with end-cutting pliers and roll them over their rounded jaw, squeezing only enough to hold; nippers are made to cut, and a hard squeeze snips the nail off. Take a fresh bite lower down each time until it's out.
    Something went wrong?
    • The nail keeps snapping Grip lower on the shank, or sink the rest with a nail set and fill the hole.
    End-cutting pliers gripping a headless nail and rolling it out of the wood
  4. Pull trim nails through the backIf you're reusing trim, grip the pointed end from the back with the nippers and pull the nail through. The face of the trim stays clean.
    Pliers pulling a finish nail out through the back of a piece of trim so the face stays clean
  5. Sink the ones that won't come outIf a nail snaps off below the surface, drive what's left a little deeper with a nail set and fill the hole instead of digging for it.
    Nail set tapping a snapped-off nail just below the surface so it can be filled

Watch it done

This Tool Makes Prying Up Nails EasyBy The Honest Carpenter on YouTube. Their method may vary a little from ours.
Watch on YouTube
How you'll know it's fixed
  • The nail comes out straight without bending
  • The surface around the hole isn't dented
  • Trim faces stay clean with nails pulled through the back
  • Any snapped nail is set below the surface and filled

Head snapped off? Switch to the nippers and grip the shank.

If the nail won't budge

If the head snaps off, switch to the nippers and grip the shank. If it breaks below the surface, set it deeper and fill over it.

If the nail bends as it comes up, straighten it with a light tap, then pull again with a taller block so the pull stays straight.

Protect the surfaceOn finished surfaces, slip a putty knife or a piece of cardboard under the scrap block. It spreads the pressure so the block doesn't dent the wood.
Leave it alone ifThe nail may be touching a wire or pipe inside a wall, it's holding something structural, or it's in a valuable antique you don't want marked.

What a pro typically charges (a rough estimate; prices vary by area): A handyman typically charges $60–$120 an hour for small jobs like careful trim removal.

Find a carpenter near you

Something else going on?

Nail pulling questions

How do I remove a nail without a hammer?

End-cutting pliers or locking pliers can roll it out. For a nail with a head, a flat pry bar works too.

How do I get a nail out without marking the wood?

Put a scrap block, with a putty knife or cardboard under it, beneath the hammer head. It spreads the pressure and keeps the pull straight.

Why does the nail head keep snapping off?

The nail is rusted or held tight. Stop pulling on the head, grip the shank with nippers, and roll it out in small bites.

What's the best tool for pulling nails?

A curved-claw hammer handles most. End-cutting pliers are the most useful addition, especially for headless and finish nails.

How do I remove a nail with no head?

Roll it out with end-cutting pliers. Step 3 covers it.

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GrabTheHammer Team

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A helpful next stepHow to use a hammer (without bending nails)How to grip it, start a nail, swing, and pull nails cleanly.