How Fast Do Human Fingernails Grow?

This is an interesting question and the answer is not as simple as one may think. It really depends on the age of the person and the finger that you are talking about. Typically, human fingernails grow at a rate of between one and ten centimeters per year, which is also the same rate of plate or continental motion, but that's another story. No two fingernails on your body grow at the same speed. The longer the finger, the faster the growth rate; for example, the thumb nail grows the slowest because it is the shortest and the middle finger grows the fastest because it is the longest. Also, the hand that is used more often is also the hand that houses the quickest pace. If you are left-handed, the fingernails on that hand generally grow a little faster.

Have you ever noticed that your toenails do not grow as fast as the nails on your fingers? Well they don't; fingernails grow almost four times faster than toenails. They also grow more quickly on younger people, during the daytime, and in the summer. A vast majority of animals have some type of nails whether it is a hoof or claw or what we would consider a normal fingernail in appearance. Fingernails are a necessary feature of our human anatomy and are not simply there to paint and trim. Without fingernails, simple tasks like grabbing or picking up items would be much more difficult for all species.