When it comes to decorating desserts, the magic isn’t just in the frosting — it’s in the piping tip. Whether you want beautiful swirls on cupcakes or delicate flowers on cakes, the piping tip you use can completely change the look of your decoration.
In this guide, you’ll discover how to choose the right piping tip for each type of design, how they’re categorized, and tips for getting started — even if you’re a beginner.
Why Piping Tips Matter
Each tip creates a different texture, pattern, or effect in your frosting. With the right one, you can:
- Create bakery-style swirls and borders
- Make elegant flowers, leaves, or stars
- Personalize desserts with writing or patterns
- Add visual interest to simple baked goods
Main Types of Piping Tips and Their Uses
1. Round Tips
Best for:
- Writing
- Outlining
- Polka dots
- Simple borders
- Filling macarons or cream puffs
Common sizes:
- Small (e.g., #1–#5): detailed writing
- Medium (e.g., #10): piping filling
- Large (e.g., #12): thick outlines, borders
💡 Great for beginners — start with a medium round tip for maximum versatility.
2. Open Star Tips
Best for:
- Cupcake swirls
- Rosettes
- Shell borders
- Ruffles
Popular tips:
- #16, #18 (small stars)
- #21, #1M, #2D (cupcake swirls)
These create beautiful defined ridges in the frosting.
3. Closed Star Tips
Similar to open star tips but with tighter curves, producing more detailed, ruffled textures.
Use for:
- Rosettes
- Drop flowers
- Elegant cupcakes
Examples:
- #2D (classic swirl)
- #852 (deep ruffles)
4. Petal Tips
Best for:
- Making flower petals, ruffles, or ribbons
How they work:
Hold the narrow edge facing out for delicate petals. Turn the tip while piping for realistic effects.
Popular tips:
- #104, #125 (roses and peonies)
- #150 (larger ruffles)
Requires a little practice but offers stunning results.
5. Leaf Tips
Best for:
- Greenery
- Realistic cake flowers
- Adding texture to floral designs
How to use:
Apply pressure, pull, and stop. The frosting will form a pointed, leafy shape.
Common tips:
- #352 (most versatile)
- #366 (large leaf)
6. Drop Flower Tips
Best for:
- Quick flowers without turning the bag
- Fun designs on cookies and cupcakes
How to use:
Hold the bag vertically, apply pressure, twist slightly, and release.
Tip examples:
- #224, #2F
7. Basketweave Tips
Best for:
- Creating textured stripes or woven effects
- Making ribbons and lattices
One side smooth, one side serrated.
Use for rustic or vintage cake styles.
8. Ruffle Tips
Best for:
- Garlands
- Frills on cakes
- Dress-style cupcakes
Use in up-and-down motions for layered ruffles.
Tips to try:
- #86, #88
Starter Tip Set for Beginners
If you’re just getting into piping, start with these:
- #1M (open star): classic cupcake swirl
- #2D (closed star): deep rosettes
- #10 (round): writing, outlines
- #104 (petal): flowers and ruffles
- #352 (leaf): greenery accents
With these five, you can do almost any basic design!
Piping Tips Pro Tips 😉
- Use a coupler to switch tips without changing bags
- Always fill piping bags only 2/3 full to avoid messy leaks
- Practice on parchment paper before decorating your dessert
- For cleaner lines, keep the frosting at the right consistency — not too soft, not too stiff
Final Thought: The Right Tip Makes All the Difference
Whether you’re decorating your first cupcake or creating a show-stopping cake, knowing how to choose and use the right piping tip unlocks a whole new world of creative dessert decorating.
So experiment with shapes, try new tips, and let your designs speak for themselves — one swirl at a time 🧁🎨