Nail Growth: Exploring The Limits Of Fingernail Length

Fingernails grow at a rate of about 3mm per month, and toenails grow a little slower. The nail matrix is what's under the base portion of your fingernail, where the cuticle is. The cells in the nail matrix manufacture a protein called keratin, which is what makes up your nails. As the proteins build up on top of the matrix, new ones push the older ones forward and out, which is what causes the nail to grow.

How fingernails grow

The nail matrix is what's under the base portion of your fingernail, where the cuticle is. The cells in the nail matrix manufacture a protein called keratin, which is what makes up your nails. As the proteins build up on top of the matrix, new ones push the older ones forward and out, which is what causes the nail to grow. The forward portion of skin under the nail is the nail bed. This part doesn't grow new nail, only the matrix, which is farther back. The nail on the nail bed is attached to the epidermis (outermost layer of skin), which is only a few cells thick.

The growth rate of nails is related to the length of the terminal phalanges (outermost finger bones). Thus, in humans, the nail of the index finger grows faster than that of the little finger; and fingernails grow up to four times faster than toenails. In humans, fingernails grow at an average rate of approximately 3.5 mm (0.14 in) a month, whereas toe nails grow about half as fast (approximately average 1.6 mm (0.063 in) a month). Fingernails require three to six months to regrow completely, and toe nails require twelve to eighteen months. The actual growth rate is dependent upon age, sex, season, exercise level, diet, and hereditary factors.

The matrix constantly produces new keratin that gathers at the nail plate and slowly pushes the nail forward, causing it to grow. Fingernails grow at a rate of about 3 millimeters per month, and toe nails grow a little slower.

The longest female nails known ever to have existed measured a total of 8.65 m (28 ft 4.5 in). Contrary to popular belief, nails do not continue to grow after death; the skin dehydrates and tightens, making the nails (and hair) appear to grow.

Rate of nail growth

The rate of nail growth is dependent upon age, sex, season, exercise level, diet, and hereditary factors. In humans, fingernails grow at an average rate of approximately 3.5 mm (0.14 in) a month, whereas toenails grow about half as fast (approximately 1.6 mm (0.063 in) a month). Fingernails require three to six months to regrow completely, and toenails require twelve to eighteen months.

The nail matrix is what's under the base portion of your fingernail, where the cuticle is. The cells in the nail matrix manufacture a protein called keratin, which is what makes up your nails. As the proteins build up on top of the matrix, new ones push the older ones forward and out, which is what causes the nail to grow. The forward portion of skin under the nail is the nail bed. This part doesn't grow new nail, only the matrix, which is farther back. The nail on the nail bed is attached to the epidermis (outermost layer of skin), which is only a few cells thick.

The matrix constantly produces new keratin that gathers at the nail plate and slowly pushes the nail forward, causing it to grow. In mammals, the growth rate of nails is related to the length of the terminal phalanges (outermost finger bones). Thus, in humans, the nail of the index finger grows faster than that of the little finger; and fingernails grow up to four times faster than toenails.

The longest female nails known ever to have existed measured a total of 8.65 m (28 ft 4.5 in). Contrary to popular belief, nails do not continue to grow after death; the skin dehydrates and tightens, making the nails (and hair) appear to grow.

Factors affecting nail growth

The nail matrix is what's under the base portion of your fingernail, where the cuticle is. The cells in the nail matrix manufacture a protein called keratin, which is what makes up your nails. As the proteins build up on top of the matrix, new ones push the older ones forward and out, which is what causes the nail to grow. The forward portion of skin under the nail is the nail bed. This part doesn't grow new nail, only the matrix, which is farther back. The nail on the nail bed is attached to the epidermis (outermost layer of skin), which is only a few cells thick.

The growth rate of nails is related to the length of the terminal phalanges (outermost finger bones). Thus, in humans, the nail of the index finger grows faster than that of the little finger; and fingernails grow up to four times faster than toenails. In humans, fingernails grow at an average rate of approximately 3.5 mm (0.14 in) a month, whereas toe nails grow about half as fast (approximately average 1.6 mm (0.063 in) a month). Fingernails require three to six months to regrow completely, and toe nails require twelve to eighteen months. The actual growth rate is dependent upon age, sex, season, exercise level, diet, and hereditary factors.

The matrix constantly produces new keratin that gathers at the nail plate and slowly pushes the nail forward, causing it to grow. Fingernails grow at a rate of about 3 millimeters per month, and toe nails grow a little slower.

The longest female nails known ever to have existed measured a total of 8.65 m (28 ft 4.5 in). Contrary to popular belief, nails do not continue to grow after death; the skin dehydrates and tightens, making the nails (and hair) appear to grow.

The nail bed is the forward portion of skin under the nail. This part doesn't grow new nail, only the matrix, which is farther back. The nail on the nail bed is attached to the epidermis (outermost layer of skin), which is only a few cells thick.

Nail growth after death

Contrary to popular belief, nails do not continue to grow after death. The skin dehydrates and tightens, making the nails (and hair) appear to grow.

The nail matrix is what's under the base portion of your fingernail, where the cuticle is. The cells in the nail matrix manufacture a protein called keratin, which is what makes up your nails. As the proteins build up on top of the matrix, new ones push the older ones forward and out, which is what causes the nail to grow. The forward portion of skin under the nail is the nail bed. This part doesn't grow new nail, only the matrix, which is farther back. The nail on the nail bed is attached to the epidermis (outermost layer of skin), which is only a few cells thick.

In mammals, the growth rate of nails is related to the length of the terminal phalanges (outermost finger bones). Thus, in humans, the nail of the index finger grows faster than that of the little finger; and fingernails grow up to four times faster than toenails. In humans, fingernails grow at an average rate of approx. 3.5 mm (0.14 in) a month, whereas toe nails grow about half as fast (approx. average 1.6 mm (0.063 in) a month). Fingernails require three to six months to regrow completely, and toe nails require twelve to eighteen months. Actual growth rate is dependent upon age, sex, season, exercise level, diet, and hereditary factors.

Nail growth vs toenail growth

The nail matrix is what's under the base portion of your fingernail, where the cuticle is. The cells in the nail matrix manufacture a protein called keratin, which is what makes up your nails. As the proteins build up on top of the matrix, new ones push the older ones forward and out, which is what causes the nail to grow. The forward portion of skin under the nail is the nail bed. This part doesn't grow new nail, only the matrix, which is farther back. The nail on the nail bed is attached to the epidermis (outermost layer of skin), which is only a few cells thick.

The nail growth rate is related to the length of the terminal phalanges (outermost finger bones). Thus, in humans, the nail of the index finger grows faster than that of the little finger; and fingernails grow up to four times faster than toenails. In humans, fingernails grow at an average rate of approximately 3.5 mm (0.14 in) a month, whereas toe nails grow about half as fast (approximately average 1.6 mm (0.063 in) a month). Fingernails require three to six months to regrow completely, and toe nails require twelve to eighteen months. The actual growth rate is dependent upon age, sex, season, exercise level, diet, and hereditary factors.

The matrix constantly produces new keratin that gathers at the nail plate and slowly pushes the nail forward, causing it to grow. Fingernails grow at a rate of about 3 millimeters per month, and toe nails grow a little slower.

The longest female nails known ever to have existed measured a total of 8.65 m (28 ft 4.5 in). Contrary to popular belief, nails do not continue to grow after death; the skin dehydrates and tightens, making the nails (and hair) appear to grow.

Frequently asked questions